Aaranyak, Assam’s leading biodiversity conservation organization, has organized a series of awareness events to sensitize young students to biodiversity conservation and the need for coexistence with wild elephants.
The events aim to mitigate the human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Assam and promote the importance of protecting biodiversity.
The organization conducted two outreach events for students of Basa Gaon ME School and Ujani Sadiya High School in Tinsukia district, Assam. The events highlighted the interdependence of various species on the planet and their importance in the ecosystem. A total of 116 students were reached during these events, which included audio-visual presentations titled "Species Interdependence" and "Biodiversity Conservation and Human Wellbeing." A nature game called "Web of Life" was also conducted for the students.
Aaranyak partnered with the British Asian Trust and the Biodiversity Challenge Fund, UK, to promote human-elephant coexistence. The organization's team, comprising Rimpee Moran, Ejaj Ahmed, Debojit Gogoi, and Tonmoi Priya Gogoi, coordinated the events with support from the school's teacher.
Earlier this month, a series of outreach events were conducted in various schools in Udalguri district, Assam, to raise awareness on how to coexist with wild elephants. A team from Aaranyak conducted the organization's signature outreach campaign, "Gajah Kotha," using well-illustrated IEC materials in Nunaipara TG LP School, Uttar Sekhar ME School, and Milanjyoti Amjuli ME School. The campaign reached out to around 250 students from these three schools.
The Aaranyak team emphasized the importance of elephants, their role as ecosystem engineers, and the need for everyone in society to work towards protecting the species and its habitat, which is intricately linked with human well-being. The team also highlighted the climate change crisis and how collective action can combat it.
Aaranyak's initiative, supported by the SBI Foundation, aims to promote human-elephant coexistence and protect biodiversity. The organization's efforts are crucial in raising awareness about the importance of conservation and coexistence, especially among young students who can make a positive impact on the environment.