Guwahati: Over 1700 school students attended a series of 'Rhino Goes to School' programmes organized in a few schools located in the proximity of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, the famed habitat of the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, in the Morigaon district of Assam last week.
Frontline biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org), in collaboration with Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (PWLS) Authority, conducted this series of sensitization programmes for young students with support from the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) with the objective to impress these young minds about the importance of conservation of one-horned rhinos, the State Animal of Assam, that has significant ecological values attached to it.
The first programme of the series was conducted in Mayong Higher Secondary School on November 21, which was attended by approximately 450 students. The program's primary goal was to raise students' awareness of the need for conservation of one-horned rhinos and their habitats. Participating students in the programme were provided with in-depth knowledge about the greater one-horned rhino, so that they are enthused to make meaningful contributions towards the conservation of the rhino.
The sensitization programme included presentations on rhinos, including basic details about the animal and its habitat and the significance of rhino conservation considering its ecological importance. Arif Hussain, manager of Aaranyak's Rhino Research and Conservation Division (RRCD), conducted the programme. The programme was inaugurated by Dhrubajyoti Nath, Additional SP, Morigaon district. Nath talked about the significance of wildlife and encouraged the students to be proactive in the domain of wildlife conservation.
A Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, recognized by the DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 with registration number 3096 of 1989-90 Pranjal Baruah, range officer of PWLS, enlightened the gathering about the rich biodiversity of the wildlife sanctuary. The headmaster and teachers of the school, Dharma Nath, Secretary of the Mayong Thana Committee, were also present in the program. The second 'Rhino Goes to School' program of the series was conducted on November 22 for students of Shankardev Shishu Niketan and Bura Buri Higher Secondary School in the vicinity of PWLS.
The third 'Rhino Goes to School' program of the series was conducted on November 23 at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi High School, located near the rhino hub of Pobitora WLS, to create awareness about rhinos and wildlife among the students. The program focused on providing a platform for building future stewards for conservation of rhinos in particular and wildlife in general. About 400 students participated in the program that featured a PowerPoint presentation on rhinos, interaction, and an open quiz, a press release stated.
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