Awareness rally at Kahitema

In an effort to boost and encourage community participation in protecting the World Heritage Site, a mass rally was organsied on Sunday at Kahitema, adjacent to Manas National Park  Environment by Aaranyak in association with the Manas National Park administration and United Social Welfare Society. Over 400 people participated in the mass rally in addition to school children. Among them were Hiranya Kumar Sarma, Director, Manas National Park, Dhoronidhor Boro, Sub Divisional Officer, Saalbari, Dhoronidhor Boro, ACF, Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, Programme Secretary, Aaranyak and Namita Brahma (Aaranyak).

“The efforts of protecting the Manas National Park can never be successful without the participation of communities living in its fringe areas. The area of Kahitema also has great potential as a prospective destination for ecotourism,” said Park Director, Hiranya Kumar Sarma.

Manas National Park is under threat from several man-made factors. The protected area of the Park lies in the midst of the Bodoland Territorial Council. Local communities in the area are thus being encouraged to play a key role in protecting the sanctuary.