Former ultras, poachers rally for Manas

The Assam Tribune , Friday, June 10, 2005
Correspondent : Upam Buzarbaruah
KHAMARDWISA, Bagsa, June 9 – An NGO comprising of ex-poachers, ex-BLT cadres and ABSU volunteers is bringing to life a dream project here without an iota of government aid or administrative backup. Their dream – to rejuvenate and conserve a major portion of the Bhuyanpara range of the Manas National Park.

The Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society (MMES)– an NGO comprising of around 200 volunteers and members– has been active since February this year, and has achieved much within just three months.

They have formed a 30-men group to patrol the range, they have been conducting regular awareness campaigns within the 51 fringe villages of that area and with a lot of success, reduced poaching to almost nil in the area, built a well-furnished tourist guest house, set up two forest outposts for patrolling operations, set up a museum which was inagurated by David Sheppard– a world-reknown conservationist– not to mention the initiation of rehabilitation programmes for local poachers.

But in spite of the discipline and energy, the boys always look for guidance towards a few individuals who have been instrumental in directing their energy and focus onto this dream project – Partha Das of Ashoka Holidays, Guwahati; Raj Basu and Achit Biswas of Help Toursim, Kolkata, and Abhijit Rabha, Field Director, Manas National Park.

The entire society is divided into several departments comprising a number of people– the primary ones being conservation, tourism and infrastructure. Altogether there are 14 departments.

The level of awareness spread through MMES’ efforts is visible in the case of the retrieval of the egg and birth of a Bengal Florican hatchling in their care. All the 51 fringe villages have been made aware of the value of the forest and its resources. The consequent need for conservation has also been well established.

All that is lacking is a proper administrative initiative to provide financial and material help to these energetic young conservationists. Time is ripe for Manas National Park to share a status equal to that of the Kaziranga National Park. And this can be achieved only through a properly coordinated effort involving the indigenous people, experts and the government.

 
SOURCE : The Assam Tribune, Friday, June 10, 2005
 


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