KAZIRANGA, July 29 - With an objective to create awareness among the masses on the need to protect the Royal Bengal Tiger, World Tiger Day was observed today at Bokakhat.
An official function to mark the occasion was organised by the Bokakhat sub-divisional administration in association with Kaziranga National Park authority in the conference hall of the SDO (Civil) office at Bokakhat.
Addressing the gathering in the presence of many eminent persons, including Commissioner and Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Shyam Jaganathan, SDO (Civil) of Bokakhat Vivek Shyam, Dr Pranabjyoti Bora from WWF- India, Rohini Ballav Saikia, DFO of Kaziranga, members of Bokakhat Sub-Division Journalists� Association and members of Eco Development Committee.
Agriculture Minister Atul Bora appreciated the efforts of the administration and Forest Department for organising World Tiger Day, which is very important in the context of creating mass awareness among the general public for protection of the big cat species.
Cabinet Minister Bora felt that there is a need to increase the compensation amount which is given to the affected families when their livestock is killed or fatally attacked by tigers.
He said that organisations working in the field of wildlife protection should come forward to work together with an attempt to reduce conflicts between man and wild animals, including tigers.
Research officer Robin Sharma gave a power point presentation with regard to tiger monitoring, tiger project, needs of tigers, etc. He also outlined the importance of keeping tiger habitats intact since the Royal Bengal tiger population helps in keeping the eco system in balance.
The event was formally inaugurated by the president of All Assam Journalists� Association Jitu Sharma Rajkhowa.
Wildlife Warden Uttam Saikia said that since many of those present in the programme yesterday are working at the field level and some are members of Eco Development Committees from various parts of Kaziranga, so a positive message would be spread by word of mouth while wildlife activists create awareness among the masses at the village level. This will definitely help in conservation and protection of Royal Bengal Tigers and other wild animals in Kaziranga.
Kaziranga DFO Rohini Ballav Saikia said that currently the total population of Royal Bengal tigers in Kaziranga National Park is 104, which is a healthy sign. He said that Kaziranga forests are ideal habitat of Royal Bengal tigers, which is considered as an area of source population.
In Baihata Chariali: On the occasion of International Tiger Day, under the joint aegis of Sila Range Forest Office and Dorakahara Gramya Vikash Samiti (DGVS), a sapling plantation programme was held today at Dorakahara, an ANN Service report stated.
The programme was formally inaugurated by Bipin Goswami, retired teacher of the locality where Biren Boro, village chief of Dorakahara village, social worker Jayanta Mohan Das, Balen Das and Deepjyoti Das, president and secretary respectively of DGVS, Bhadreswar Pegu, Officer in-charge of Changsari Police Station and Rabin Baishya, Range Officer of Sila Range Office participated.
Synchronising with this, an awareness meeting was also held under the presidentship of Chandi Charan Kakati, retired teacher of Dorakahara High School.
Renowned nature lover Bhupen Kumar Das and a number of wildlife lovers spoke on the importance of tree plantation for the benefit of the human race. More than 100 saplings were planted in front of the Dorakahara Bishnu Mandir on either side of National Highway-31.
