WWF-India in association with the Assam State Forest Department fecilitated two 'WWF-Assam Forest Department Vanya Prani Mitra Awards' to twelve forest staff of the Assam State Forest Department for their exemplary service towards the protection of Assam's wildlife at a special event organized at the Guwahati Zoo in Assam, India. The awards were presented by the Honourable Minister of Forest and Environment, Government of Assam, Mr. Rakibul Hussain.
Mr. Monomohan Das, Forester I, was awarded with the individual prize for significant contribution towards the rescue of a wild elephant stranded at Pancharatna Reserve Forest in the Goalpara Division. Showing resourcefulness and courage, he developed an acquaintance with the wild elephant within a day which helped in its successful rescue. He also attended to other wildlife emergencies and crises without hesitation and went out of his way to raise awareness among local communities for conservation of wildlife.
A team of 11 frontline staff from the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park was
given the team award for showing great courage under fire by bravely engaging
with armed poachers while on a patrol in the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.
In the resultant encounter, a .303 rifle, an axe and four bags were recovered
from the location and the poaching incident was averted.
Speaking on the occasion, the Honourable Minister said, “These awards will
create a positive atmosphere for wildlife conservation in Assam and boost the
morale of our frontline forest staff. In spite of the many difficult challenges
facing them, the forest staff is doing a great job and this is reflected in the
praise our conservation work is getting from around the world.”
“I thank the Assam Forest Department for joining WWF-India in this initiative to recognize the dedicated work of the frontline staff through these awards”, added Mr. Ravi Singh, CEO and Secretary General, WWF-India. Mr. V. K. Vishnoi, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forests, Assam and Mr. Suresh Chand, IFS and PCCF, Wildlife Assam and Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam were also present at the event.
“I've been working for wildlife conservation for the past decade and I'm really happy that I've been selected for this award. Forests will exist only if the wildlife within them is protected and I hope to continue to do my bit to ensure this”, said Mr. Monomohan Das, Forester I, Goalpara Division.
“It is difficult working for wildlife conservation in the field. With the help of my team's efforts we have ensured zero poaching in Orang in the last one year by thwarting a number of attempts made by poachers. My whole team is thankful for this award and for the help WWF-India provided in the field”, added Mr. Chakrapani Roy, Forest Ranger, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park on behalf of his team.
These awards constituted jointly by WWF-India and Assam Forest Department continue the long standing partnership between the two in working for the conservation of Assam's rich wildlife, especially under the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) program. Under this program, previously 18 rhinos have been successfully translocated from the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga National Park to the Manas National Park, where they are monitored regularly. In addition, WWF-India is also collaborating with the Assam Forest Department for managing human – elephant conflict and tiger conservation including monitoring tigers, co-predators and prey in different Protected Areas and Forest Divisions of the state.
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