October 14, 2025 - Students from Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti School emerged victorious in the Assam State finale of the Wild Wisdom Global Challenge, defeating competitors from 109 other schools in what organizers called one of the most competitive rounds in the program's 18-year history.
The competition, held at Miles Bronson Residential School in Guwahati, saw participation from 220 students representing schools from across the state. Ashwin Anand of Class 9 and Anubhadipta Boruah of Class 8 from the winning school will advance to represent Assam in the zonal round of India's largest wildlife quiz competition.
STATEWIDE PARTICIPATION REACHES RECORD LEVELS
This year's competition attracted 56,770 students from 262 schools across Assam, with 243 schools qualifying for the state finale after completing classroom-level competitions. The theme "Incredible Insects" focused student attention on butterflies, moths, bees, grasshoppers, mantises, dragonflies and other invertebrates critical to ecosystem health.
Delhi Public School, Guwahati secured second place in the competition, followed by South Point School, Guwahati in third position. Holy Child School, Guwahati and Army Public School, Basistha completed the top five rankings.
CONSERVATION EDUCATION EMPHASIZED BY OFFICIALS
Mrs. Archita Baruah Bhattacharyya, State Director for WWF-India's Assam and Andhra Pradesh State Office, addressed participants during the opening ceremony, stating that insects serve as "bio-indicators of environmental changes like pollution and climate change" while playing "critical roles in pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycling."
"The Wild Wisdom Global Challenge is not merely a competition but a celebration of knowledge and a commitment to preserving our planet," Bhattacharyya told the assembled students and faculty.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS ADDRESS STUDENTS
Chief Guest Prof. Parimal Chandra Bhattacharjee, a prominent ecologist, commended both the host institution and WWF-India for fostering conservation awareness among young people. He encouraged students to "work hard to achieve their goal and to act for conservation of environment."
Sri Prakash Ranjan, Regional Administrative Officer with Vivekananda Kendra Shiksha Prasar Vibhag, Guwahati, served as Guest of Honour and delivered motivational remarks to participants.
The competition was conducted by quiz master Mr. Abhra Das, with the program opening with traditional lamp lighting and a tribute performance of Zubeen Garg's "Mayabini" by host school students.
NATIONAL PROGRAM REACHES 400,000 STUDENTS
The Wild Wisdom Global Challenge, launched by WWF-India in 2008, engaged more than 400,000 students from 3,500 schools nationwide in its current 18th edition. The multi-tiered competition advances participants through classroom, state, zonal, national and international levels.
Students in grades 6 through 9 are eligible to participate in the program, which supplements the quiz competition with educational webinars and "Biobliz" nature connection activities introduced this year.
Certificate and trophy presentations were conducted by program officials including Bhattacharyya, Prof. Bhattacharjee, Ranjan, host school Curriculum Coordinator Smt. Soma Dey, and quiz master Das.
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