Deepor Beel Biodiversity carnival draws huge response

GUWAHATI, May 18: In line with the World Biodiversity day, WWF- India AAPSO organized a Deepor beel Biodiversity Carnival on May 17 last which was attended by more than 300 students and teachers from six schools of Guwahati city and four Deepor beel tive schools. The aim of organizing the carnival was to celebrate, educate and sensitize the students towards Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, a release stated.

Deepor beel wetland, also a Deepor beel Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam lies to the south of the River Brahmaputra. The main attraction of the beel are the beautiful migratory birds which migrates to this places during the winter besides the tive birds.

Students from DPS Guwahati, Maria's Public School, Royal Global School, Miles Bronson Residential School, Sarla Birla Gyanjyoti, Suderashan Public School, Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan ME School, Chakradeo LP School, Gara Khahania Satsanga LP School and And Ingti LP School participated in the carnival by wearing colourful face masks and painting their face with different fau and flora of Deeporbeel and holding placards highlighting the important role played by the plants/animals in the ecological system of Deepor beel.

The programme started from Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan ME School, Chakradeo Village with a rally, where students and volunteers raised their voices against Deeporbeel exploitation with banners and slogans of "Save Deeporbeel ". Padmashree awardee Jadav Payeng, the Forest Man of India, also participated in the carnival along with the students, teachers and volunteers and local community.

A plantation drive led by Forest Man Jadav Payeng was also organized beside Deeporbeel. The students also performed various plays and dramas, sang related songs and expressed their views on Deepor beel, its present condition and the ways by which it can be protected.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Archita Baruah Bhattacharyya, Sr. Programme Officer, WWF-India, stressed the need to develop love for ture among the students and importance of conserving biodiversity. She also added, "Conservation of Deepor beel is an important issue and it's high time for its protection and conservation. It is the only Ramsar site in Assam and a very important wetland which is very near to Guwahati city."

The Forest Ranger of Deepor Beel, along with other forest officials, were present in the programme. Jadav Payeng later on interacted with the students and addressed the various queries of the students. He also advised students to plant more and more trees and to nurture them.