Environmental NGO Forum formed

In order to strengthen the environmental movement in Assam, 25 Assam based environmental NGOs met over a day-long programme at Lakshmiram Barua Sadan on October 20 and decided to form an environmental NGO Forum to deal with all environmental issues of the state. The Forum shall keep a strict vigil on conservation initiatives being carried out by government/non government agencies to ensure that resources are wisely used to benefit environment conservation. After this initial meeting at Guwahati, the Forum came to a shape at Nagaon on November 18 with the formation of a core committee and selected Ms Mubina Akhtar as convenor cum spokesperson who will co-ordinate amongst all stakeholders.

A nine-member core committee with leading NGOs like Aranya Surakhya Samiti,Asom , Aaranyak, Nature’s Beckon, Early Birds, Kaziranga Wildlife Society, Green Guard, Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society (MMES), Wildlife Conservation and Study Center (WCSC) and Green Society was elected to carry out the salient activities of the Forum. The Forum shall keep watch on the concerned governmental agencies for proper implementation of the environmental laws and would monitor closely the implementation of all the important government schemes concerning bio diversity conservation and assist in their smooth and transparent implementation.

The NGO Forum further decided to strengthen and support all small NGOs that are fighting in isolation for the cause of biodiversity conservation in the state. At the same time the Forum asked all the local/national/international NGOs working in Assam, who hasn’t raised their voices during the serial killing of rhinos in Kaziranga and other environmental crisis, to come forward and raise their voices to make conservation movement successful in saving wildlife and its habitat.. A total of 25 NGOS from the nooks and corners of the state joined the Forum.