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Online voting to select city�s animal icon

By STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, May 5 - A meeting was held today at the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup Metro on the issue of further popularising the ongoing �Guwahati City�s Animal Voting Campaign� programme.

The meeting, held under the chairmanship of Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu, discussed ways to increase participation of the public, especially of students of educational institutions, in the online voting campaign for selecting Guwahati�s City Animal.

It is noteworthy that the district administration, the forest department and an animal lovers� organisation had in early March started a unique initiative to save the endangered species in and around the city by deciding to launch an online voting system to select an animal as the city�s icon. Guwahati will be the first city in the North East to have a rare species as its symbol.

Voting is being done through www. myanimal.in. and people of the city can vote to choose one out of a list that includes the black soft-shell turtle, greater adjutant stork and the Gangetic river dolphin. Voting, which had started on March 6, was to have concluded on April 30, but officials said the time has been extended till May 22, which is also the World Biodiversity Day.

Result of the online voting will also be declared the same day and the city�s icon will be officially selected. The contest has been taken up as part of an initiative to create awareness about the endangered animals living in and around the city and help in their conservation.

The administration said that the rate of voting has not been as per expectation so far and today�s meeting was held to formulate a strategy to increase the public participation in the exercise.

During today�s meeting, Dr Angamuthu laid stress on increasing the awareness campaign regarding the initiative in schools, colleges, offices and other places. Education department officials were directed to intensify campaigning in the educational institutions.

The transport department and other departments concerned were directed to start computer kiosks at offices, at public parks and at the Assam State Zoo to facilitate the common citizen to participate in the voting.

Officials were also directed to carry out poster campaigns at shopping malls, restaurants and other public places. City buses and those operated under the Assam State Transport Corporation (ATSC) will also be targeted.

The administration has also decided to rope in the telecom service providers and FM stations to spread awareness on the campaign.

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