GUWAHATI: In a bid to strengthen the frontline against wildlife crime, members of the Village Defence Party (VDP) in Singri area, situated on the fringe of the Second Addition of the Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve (ONP&TR), have been sensitised on their crucial role in preserving the state’s prized wildlife protection area.
The initiative took the form of a workshop titled, “Combating Wildlife Crime through Awareness”, held at Paschim Chitalmari Rangamancha Singri in the Sonitpur district of Assam.
Pradipta Baruah, the Field Director of Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve, and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Mangaldoi Wildlife Division, addressed the gathering, emphasising the significance of VDP members as guardians of the state’s natural heritage.
Baruah highlighted the VDP’s potential as the “eyes and ears” of both the state police and forest departments.
He urged participants to act as modern-day “drones” in monitoring and preventing wildlife crime, underscoring the importance of prompt reporting of any suspicious activities.
Providing context to the workshop, Baruah narrated the history of the Orang wildlife habitat from its inception as an Orang Game Reserve in 1915 to its current status as the Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve, including the recent expansion to 200.32 square kilometers.
The workshop, organized by ONP&TR authority in collaboration with biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, Sonitpur Police, and Village Defence Organisation, garnered participation from approximately 80 individuals, including panchayat members, local villagers, and predominantly VDP members.
Ajoy Kumar Das, Senior Law Consultant of Aaranyak, shed light on the legal mandate of VDPs under the Village Defence Organisation Act 1966 and the Rule 1986.
Singri Police Outpost in-charge Raj Kumar Taye stressed on the heightened vigilance required from VDPs against wildlife crimes, given the park’s expanded boundaries.
Various local dignitaries, including Lata Devi, president of the Dakshin Singri Gaon Panchayat, and Singri Gaon Burah Lankeshwar Sharma, expressed concerns about the diminishing wildlife and bird species globally.
The workshop concluded with gratitude expressed by Aaranyak’s Secretary General and CEO, Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, towards the Forest Department and VDP members, particularly Rajen Thapa, for the successful organisation of the event.
