World Wetlands Day observed in Digboi

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, February 2: The World Wetlands Day was observed by a team of wildlife enthusiasts of Digboi. The function was organized by the Department of Zoology, Digboi College and Aaranyak at Digboi in Tinsukia district of Assam.   The World Wetlands Day, which traces its origin to the convention on wetlands on February 2, 1971, has since been observed in more than 160 countries across the world.

Environmental activists, biologists, wildlife experts and students including honorary Wildlife Warden HN Sarma, Ajoy Kr Das, of Aaranyak, wildlife biologist Rajib Rudra Tariang, Kedar th Timsi, Vice-Principal of Digboi College, Jitu Borah, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and a ture activist and photo jourlist Hira Phukan and a host of ture enthusiastic students of Digboi College arrived at an old stretch of wetland in the heart of Digboi oil field area within Digboi Reserve Forest.

HN Sarma addressed the students in particular and briefed them about the importance and significance of observing the wetland day, while Ajoy Kr Das spoke on the Ramsar Convention and about the Deepor Beel, the only Ramsar site in Assam. Kedar th Timsi and Rajib Rudra Tariang briefed about the birds sighted in the wetland.  This was followed by the entire group visiting the vast wetland. The group was thrilled to sight the migratory birds floating on the waterscape in rhythmic movement well within view for about an hour. The group also viewed a number of coots, little egrets, Great Egrets, Indian pond herons, bronze winged jaca, little cormorants, great cormorant, Oriental darter, Indian shag, ruddy-shield ducks, ferruginous duck, falcated duck, common teal, Common Sandpiper and varieties of wildlife resources.

At the end of the visit, a brief light on the scope, and purpose of the day was thrown  to the group by Tariang who also elaborated on this year’s theme of the day - ‘Wetland for our future: Sustaible Livelihood’. The students who accompanied were Abhijit Chetry, Suman Barman, Bikash Newar, Bishal Das, Tapash Basak, Jokhong Singpho, Jan Borah, Roktim Borgohain, Mandira Dahal, Susmita Borgohain, Renu Gogoi, Junu Gogoi, ng Hema Manlong, Piyali Devroy, and Deep Kr. Borah.