Foundaion of bio-diversity park laid

As a positive step towards conservation of the deteriorating ecology, the foundation of the proposed “Eco-children Park cum botanical garden with medicinal plants and local bamboo” has been laid at Kalaigaon Sevashram on March 11. Nonagenarian freedom fighter and social worker Pani Ram Das formally laid the foundation of the proposed eco-park in presence of several dignitaries including D.N.Hazarika, Circle Officer,Harisinga Revenue Circle; Yoga Guru Hiren Sarkar of Bigyananda Yogashram, Mangaldai; social worker Kami Ram Saharia; Dr N.K.Das etc.In his welcome speech Jayanta Das, secretary of the park management committee gave details of the proposed eco-park. According to him the eco-children park cum botanical garden had been the dream project of freedom fighter and social worker Pani Ram Das,for which he had donated a plot of land measuring 35 Bighas (the estimated value of which could be around rupees 1.7 crore). The implementation of the project as delayed due to paucity of funds. But at the request of freedom fighter Pani Ram Das and Capt.Robin Bordoloi ( who has also been the president cum trustee of Kalaigaon Sevashram), Hon’ble Dr.Man Mohan Singh,PM of India has recently donated rupees five lakhs from his LAD fund to start the construction work of the eco-park.

In the mean time a permanent public park management committee has been formed with the Circle Officer, Kalaigaon as its president. Another estimate of Rs.25 lakhs has been prepared for the second phase pf the works under NREGA for 2008-2009.It has also been learned that the proposed park would later be known as the “Kanak Lata Das Bio-diversity Conservation Park”. He further said that when completed,the park would be first of its kind in the state.Various types of local medicinal plants, fruit plants, tall local trees and varieties of local bamboos would be planted in the park so as to provide shelter to birds like vultures, kites,hawks, cranes, greater adjutants (Hargilla) etc.In the second phase of the work a big pond would also be dug in the park, which would attract various water and migratory birds. As per the plan, the pond would also serve as a fishery to boost village economy and employment. While speaking on the occasion freedom fighter Pani Ram Das could hardly keep back his tears of joy. He appealed all to offer their help and co-operation for the completion of the park which would not only beautify the area but would motivate younger generation to conserve flora and faunas to maintain ecology.