GUWAHATI, June 21 - Noted novelist and editor of Assamese weekly Asam Bani Dileep Chandan�s novel Ballad of Kaziranga was formally launched at a function held in the North East Writers� Forum auditorium at RG Baruah Sports Complex here this evening.
The novel, translated from Assamese into English by Parbina Rashid, a Hyderabad-based journalist, was inaugurated by senior State forest officer Akashdeep Baruah; Anwaruddin Choudhury, noted environmentalist; Mubina Akhtar, presdient, Kaziranga Wildlife Society; Bhupen Talukdar, retired forest officer; Zareer Hussain, chief editor, News Live and Dhruba Hazarika, president, North East Writers� Forum.
Introducing the novel, Pradip Sarma described Chandan�s literary work as an earnest endeavour to bring into focus the human angle in the conversation work.
The author in his speech recalled his close association with Kaziranga from his college days and said that in his book he tried to bring in all the different human characters involved in the Kaziranga landscape.
The inaugural function was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dhruba Hazarika. Mubina Akhtar called for preservation of the Kaziranga wetlands and steps against erosion caused by the Brahmaputra river. Akashdeep Baruah laid stress on upgrading intelligence gathering and technology to check poaching. Bhupen Talukdar expressed concern at destruction of forests in Assam.
Anwaruddin Choudhury hoped the government would appoint officers conversant with environment in key positions of the forest and environment department.
