Guwahati: Following the expansion of the Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve (ONP & TR) in Assam, the responsibility of all stakeholders has significantly increased in terms of enhancing surveillance for the protection of wildlife in the Park.
Addressing members of various Village Defence Parties (VDPs) at a sensitisation workshop on wildlife crime held on February 21 in Borbhagia Belsiri Gaon Panchayat community hall at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur District of Assam, the Field Director of the Tiger Reserve, Pradipta Baruah, emphasised the crucial role of VDP members as the first responders and vigilantes in preventing wildlife crime in their respective areas of operation on the fringe villages. He stressed that their role should be more preventive than curative.
The workshop, organised by Aaranyak in collaboration with the Orang Tiger Reserve Authorities, Sonitpur District Police, Village Defence Organisation (Government of Assam), and District Administration of Sonitpur, received support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Field Director Baruah expressed that the recent expansion of the Orang Tiger Reserve fulfilled the dream of the Assam Forest Department to connect Orang Tiger Reserve and Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, enabling seamless movement of wild animals between these protected areas.
The sensitisation workshop saw the participation of members from various VDPs, including Photasimulu Gaon VDP, Borbhogia VDP, Isalamari VDP, Pub-nisolamari Non-K VDP, Bosasimulu Teg Bosti VDP, Pub-Photasimulu VDP, Paschim Borbhogia VDP, and Photasimulu Block Non-K VDP.
Aaranyak official Sanjib Kumar Bezburuah highlighted the urgency of such a workshop on wildlife crime following the expansion of the Tiger Reserve.
Ajoy Kumar Das, Senior Law Consultant of Aaranyak, explained the organogram of the Village Defence Organisation (VDO) of Assam and its history, dating back to 1949 when the late Harinarayan Baruah initiated the concept. Das discussed the Village Defence Organisation Act 1966, including Section 10, which outlines the system of reward. He also touched upon sections 60A and 60B of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which address rewards for assisting in the detection of wildlife crimes or apprehending wildlife offenders.
Circle Officer of Dhekiajuli Tonmoy Bora interacted with VDP members, emphasising increased vigilance towards stray animals after recent evictions of encroachers from Orang National Park.
Pranjit Deka, Forester Grade I, acknowledged the past contributions of VDP members while cautioning against false information. He urged VDP members to verify information before reporting it.
Second I.C. of Borsola Police Outpost, Naren Phukan, encouraged VDP members to freely share vital information related to wildlife crime with the police outpost.
Active participation in the discussion was observed from VDP members, including Babul Das, Ananda Das, Abdul Siddique, among others. The workshop was presided over by Pran Krishna Das, Chairman of the Borsola Bazar Committee, and an eminent social worker in the region.
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