Awareness cum health camp near Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

In an attempt to mitiggate man elephant conflict in Udalguri district, Dhansiri Forest Division in association with NRHM and district veterinary department organised a massive wildlife awareness cum health (both man and animal) camp at Saharia Chowk near Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary on April 11.The programme was held at Swahid Adarsha ME School. Bankim Sarma, DFO,Dhansiri Forest Division welcomed all before the inauguration by DC,Udalguri at 11 AM. On the occasion he spoke on the necessity of forming EDC (Eco-Development Committee) in and around Bornadi WLS so as to protect flora and fauna of the wildlife sanctuary and also to mitigate man elephant conflict. With special reference to JFMC (Joint Forest Management Committee) activities at Sapangaon village near Bhairabkunda Reserve Forest,the DFO said that people of the several villages with six JFMCs had done miraculous job by converting 550 Hacters barren and sandy lands into a spectacular forest in just 5 years time.He advised people to visit JFMC Sapangaon and requested people of Suklai area to follow the footsteps of the members of JFMC Sapangapn. The programme was presided over by social worker Santo Hazarika.

Thaneswar Malakar,Deputy Commissioner of the district formally inaugurated the programme. On the occasion he requested people to take good care of domestic as well as wild animals and birds. He remarked that people of Assam had been known for their love for animals.The celebration of “Garu Bihu” had been an live example of peoples love for animals. With special reference to the severe draught in the district,he declared that an amount of rupees one crore had already been sanctioned from border area development fund for establishment of water supply schemes for both man and animals. Speaking on unabated destruction of forests by people,the DC requested villagers to come forward to take the responsibility of protecting forests under the supervision of forest department.” Shouting slogans on the city streets could never solve problems of common people” he remarked. The DC specially thanked members of Pigmy Hog Eco-Tourism Society,Bornadi,for their outstanding service in protecting flora and fauna of the sanctuary. The camp was also addressed by Dr.Dilip Kumar Hazarika, Joint Director,Health,Udalguri; Jayanta Kumar Das,Member Secretary,Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary Monitoring Committee;Biren Saharia and Beni Madhab Rajbongshi etc.It needs mention that an amount of Rs.4567600 had been paid to victims as the ex-gratia compensation to 948 families. Rs.1 lakh each to 16 families,who had been killed by wild elephants were paid. Moreover compensation were also paid in cash to 12 injured persons, 126 families for damaged crops and 659 families for damaged houses.

More than five hundred people including woman and children were physically examined by doctors namely -Dr.Khagen Nath,Dr.Sujoy Karmakar,Dr.Subojit Mehta and Dr.TC Sarma on spot.Free medicines worth two lakh rupees were distributed among people. A veterinary animal health check up camp was also attached with the programme wich was conducted by Dr,Sulobh Sarma.