Aaranyak showcases diversity of local seeds

GUWAHATI: As part of UN's efforts to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity conservation, May 22 has been designated as International Day for Biological Diversity which is widely celebrated. Globally as well as in Northeastern India, a decline of biodiversity with passing time is posing serious threats, including well being of people.

Aaranyak, in order to promote conservation and generate awareness at the local level, organised a seed collection competition and exhibition at Karbi Anglong that brought together farmers and students from 27 villages in the Kohora and Diffolu River basins. A total of 87 participants took part in this. Aaranyak collaborated with the local communities, Assam State Biodiversity Board and the Karbi Anglong Agriculture Department for the event.

The exhibition had a fantastic display of around 170 different local seeds mostly grown in the hilly terrain and in Jhum fields. The event showcased around 20 landraces of rice, 18 kinds of pulses, 7 kinds of oil seeds, 85 kinds of vegetables, 15 types of fruits, two kinds of millets and five kinds of corn and maize that play an important role in the traditional food system of the Karbi community in Assam.

Aaranyak which is a premier research-based biodiversity conservation organisation in the region, has been working cohesively with the Karbi-community to safeguard the rich biodiversity of the region through a multi-faceted approach. The event concluded with the announcement of the winners of the competition. Kangbura Hanse bagged a sum of 10,000 rupees as prize money in the farmer category, while Bura Taro and Margaret Terangpi received an amount of Rs. 8,000 and 5,000 as prize money respectively.

The winners of the senior student category were Harlongpi Tokbi, Sermir Phangchopi, and Rowel Teron. All three of them received hefty cash prizes as well. At the junior student level, Rinjuna Ronghangpi, Serlyn Tokbipi and Banaras Teran secured the top three prizes.

The event was inaugurated by Jatindra Sharma, Field Director, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (KTR), Ramesh Kumar Gogoi, DFO of KTR and Dhruvajyoti Nath, Additional Superintendent of Police, stated a press release.

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