Guwahati: Members of Village Defence Parties (VDPs) from Morigaon district of Assam have been provided with essential field gear for protection of wildlife, especially the one-horned rhinos.
Fifty members from 25 VDPs were provided with essential field gear – torch lights and raincoats — to enhance their efforts in wildlife protection around Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
The programme was held at Mayong Police Station in presence of Superintendent of Police Hemanta Kumar Das and Additional Superintendent of Police Dhrubajyoti Nath.
The field gear presentation programme was organised by Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organisation in collaboration with the Morigaon District Police.
Supported by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), the initiative aims to address challenges related to wildlife straying, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.
During the event, VDP members shared their experiences of dealing with rhino-related conflicts in Mayong area in the district, including a recent tragic incident where a rhino killed a man.
The Superintendent of Police discussed strategies to reduce such conflicts by understanding animal behaviour and taking precautionary measures.
Das also thanked Aaranyak for their valuable support.
Addressing the gathering the CEO and Secretary General of Aaranyak Bibhab Kumar Talukdar lauded the VDP members for their dedication.
He lauded the VDPs as no poaching incident has been reported in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in the past eight years and encouraged them to maintain their high-level of commitment.
The VDP members expressed gratitude to both Aaranyak and the Morigaon District Police for their continuous support and expressed hope for similar assistance in the future.
