Kaziranga Green Marathon 2012

It was a unique way to take pride in and take a vow to protect the rich bio-resources of Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the occasion of World Environment Day.

A section of young enthusiastic nature and wildlife lovers from across the state today ran for the GREEN cause of conservation and celebration of the treasure trove of Kaziranga National Park, the famous abode of on horned rhinoceros and a tiger reserve taking part in the Green Marathon organised along a portion the National Highway 37 that flanks southern boundary of Kaziranga National Park (KNP).

Total 179 persons took part in the Green Marathon that was flagged off by State Minister for Environment and Forest Rakibul Hussain in front of the office of the Director of the KNP at Bokakhat. They ran 22 kilometers along the highway to Kohora, the main entrance to the magnificent wildlife protection area. People lined up along the both sides of the highway to cheer the runners as well as to witness the unique event. T-Shirts, leaflets, posters and stickers will be distributed to the participants and onlookers to spread the message of conservation. Street plays were organised along the road to highlight the importance Nature.

As a prelude to the marathon race, a public march led by minister Rakibul Hussain along with Bokakhat MLA, Arun Phukon along with PCCF V K Bishnoi, PCCF (Wildlife) Suresh Chand, KNP Director Sanjib Bora, DFO D D Gogoi and Bokakhat SDO (civil) Dwijen Singh was started from Bokahkat ASTC bus stop to the KNP Director’s office. A large number of people took part in the march that was flagged off by Rakibul Hussain at 5-30 A.M.

Aaranyak, a society for conservation in Northeast India, took the initiative in organizing the first Kaziranga Green Marathon in collaboration with Bokakhat District Master Athletic Association, Assam Forest Department and Bokakhat Civil Administration. Partner organisations Electronic Media Journalist Association, Bhumi, Nabataranga, Bokakhat Press Club, Bokakhat Subdivisional Journalist Association, WWF-India, Wild East, Kaziranga Anchalik Sangbadik Santha played a key role in making the event a grand success.

At the culmination of the race at Kohora, minister Rakibul Hussain planted a sapling at the Kaziranga Centenary Convention Centre to mark the occasion. Addressing a brief meeting at the convention Centre in presence of senior forest officials, people and members of the organisations that facilitated the marathon, Hussain lauded Aaranyak and its collaborators’ exemplary initiative to create awareness on conservation of nature and environment. He said such efforts should continue unhindered in future. All present in the meeting took a vow for conservation of nature and its resources.

A cash prize of Rs 10,000 was presented to Shomezuddin Ahmed of Kamrup who emerged first in the Green Marathon clocking 1 :13:37 hours. The first and second runners up Bijoy Deka (Jorhat) and Robin Das (Barpeta) clocked 1:14:34 hours and 1:15:09 hours respectively. They were felicitated with cash awards of Rs 7000 and Rs 5000 respectively.

The Kaziranga is a celebrated conservation success story and a global tourism destination today. The history of its conservation dates back to 1904. The uniqueness and richness of the Park is phenomenal. The rivers, streams and the beels inside the park are ideal habitat for the fresh water fishes, reptiles and other aquatic forms of life. The lush green grassland supports a large number of herbivores that in turn supports a very high density of tigers. There are approximately 35 species of mammals, 500 species of avifauna, 60 species of reptiles, 24 species of amphibians, 42 species of pisces and 491 species of butterflies. 440 species of plants has also been recorded from Kaziranga.