GUWAHATI, May 18 - In line with the International Day for Biodiversity, WWF-India AAPSO organised a Deepor Beel Biodiversity Carnival on Tuesday, which was attended by over 300 students and teachers from six schools of the city, besides four local schools of Deepor Beel area.
The aim of organising the event was to celebrate, educate and sensitize the students towards Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary.
Deepor Beel wetland, which also harbours the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, lies to the south of the River Brahmaputra. The wetland shelters side-ranging bird species including migratory ones.
Students from DPS-Guwahati, Maria�s Public School, Royal Global School, Miles Bronson Residential School, Sarla Birla Gyanjyoti, Suderashan Public School, Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan ME School, Chakardo LP School, Gara Khahania Satsanga LP School and Anand Ingti LP School participated in the carnival by wearing colourful face masks and painting their faces with different fauna and flora of Deepor Beel and holding placards highlighting the important role played by the plants/animals in the ecological system of the wetland.
The programme started from Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan ME School, Chakardo village with a rally, where students and volunteers raised their voices against Deepor Beel exploitation with banners and slogans of �Save Deepor Beel�.
Jadav Payeng, the �Forest Man of India� also participated in the carnival along with the students, teachers and volunteers and the local communities. A tree plantation drive led by Payeng followed by the participating schools was also organised.
The students performed various plays and dramas, sang related songs and expressed their views on Deepor Beel, its present condition, and the ways it can be protected.
Speaking on the occasion, Archita Baruah Bhattacharyya, Senior Programme Officer, WWF-India, stressed the need to develop love for nature among the students and the importance of conserving biodiversity.
Deepor is the only Ramsar site in Assam and a very important wetland which is close to the city. The Forest Ranger of Deepor Beel along with other forest officials was present in the programme. Payeng interacted with the students and addressed their various queries. He also advised students to plant more and more trees and to nurture them.
