BARPETA Dec 10 � Conservation initiatives in Manas National Park cum Tiger Project is in the right direction and it is soon going to regain its lost glory. This was the view expressed by Anindya Swargiary, field director of the park at a function held in the Bansbari Range Office of the park.
The function titled �Logistic support for Manas Tiger Reserve� was organised by the park authority in association with WWF, AREAS, BBETF, Department of Environment and Forest Government of Assam and Bodoland Territorial Council. It was organised specially for the purpose of handing some vital logistic items to the park authority by WWF.
Addressing the function, the field director stated that hundred years management system in the park came to a grinding halt for several years in the mid way and the authority has to take toil in bringing it into order. Stating that Manas is one of the biggest tiger reserves in the country, he informed that it is different from many other parks of its kind both in terms of geographical location and management.
Swargiary further claimed that nine tigers have been traced in Manas so far in the survey conducted by Wildlife Institute of India and a fresh survey has begun this year with the help and co-operation from a few organisations. He also informed that a number of organisations and NGOs have been working for the development and preservation of the park in such a coherent manner that it is itself a matter of envy for the management of other parks in the country.
As the park shares its boundary with neighbouring Bhutan it is necessary for a co-ordinated effort with that country which is being initiated this year. A meeting between the officials of the two countries has already being held and steps has been taken to make further progress. He informed that a concrete report will be prepared detailing all the aspects of preservation for which a large amount will be required. He requested the BTC authority to release the required fund for this purpose.
GC Basumatary, council head of department BTC said that recognition by the world community to the Manas National Park Tiger Project has been possible only due to the help and co operation of the all stake holders. He expressed the hope that if protection is prioritised Manas will not only revive to its previous glory but also surpass it in the days to come.
Dipankar Ghose programme co-ordinator WWF, New Delhi office stressed the need raising the profile of Manas to the national and international arena. Comparing Manas with that of Finix, he acknowledged the development of the park from the state of ruin. He assured that his organisation will prepare a baseline for the park which will help in increasing wildlife population.
Deputy chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council Khampha Borgoyary in his address gave a detailed outline of the proposed schemes undertaken by the BTC and assured all kinds of help and co-operation for its development. He also informed that an enquiry committee has been formed to enquire into the incident of discovery of the skeleton of a caracas within the park which is suspected to be of a Rhino translocated from Pobitara. The committee consists of GC Basumatary, CHD BTC, Suvasis Das DFO and CK Basumatary president of a local NGO and it has been asked to submit its findings within a fortnight.
Eight motorcycles, twenty binoculars, five hundred mosquito nets, one thousand shoes, five hundred jackets, five hundred caps, fivehundred sweaters, sixty numbers of led torch and ten charge lights were given to the park authority by the WWF. The materials were formally given to the authority by Dipankar Ghose and it was recieved by the Deputy chief of the BTC Khampha Borgoyary. The materials will be very much helpful for the park staff in the effort of protection.
Anupam Sarma and Deba Kumar Dutta from WWF, Suvasish Das, DFO, PK Brahma Range officer Bansbari range and other officials of the park besides representatives of different NGOs and organisations attended the function.
