Assam Ornithological Research Centre, a non government organisation, was inaugurated by Forest Man of India Jadav Payeng at Rongdoi Dolouguri near Nimatighat here today.
An initiative of Assam Women’s University assistant professor Suryya Kumar Chetia and a reporter of Janasadharan Dipjyoti Saikia, the Centre proposes to encourage research on avian species sighted in the region.
The Centre will also to bring out an annual online magazine in this regard.
The centre is expected to provide a boost in conservation efforts of endangered species through creation of secure habitat so that the species can breed.
Chetia said that there was immense scope for research. “The ibises which were rarely seen in earlier times can now be seen in droves in the outlying sand bars. They can now be a matter for in depth research,” he said.
“Likewise, a secure habitat can be created in the area so that the endangered greater adjutant stork can breed and proliferate like before, ” he said.
Davinder Suman, District Forest Officer (DFO) while attending the inauguration of the centre as the chief guest, said that conservation of wild animals and birds would not be successful without the co-operation of the local inhabitants in those areas.
She also said that Jorhat forest department has been carrying out a survey of the water bodies and the inhabitants beside those in the entire Nimati-Kokilamukh area.
Suman said that the department was going to prepare a proposal soon to provide recognition
of reserve forest for birds.
A management committee would be formed with the representatives of the local inhabitants to look after the entire ecosystem in those areas. She also pointed out the possibility of eco-tourism in the area.
Payeng while praising the initiative said that biologists, local and foreign tourists were drawn to the place because of numerous birds species here and could indulge in studies of bird species which the centre would help to disseminate.
The area comprising the bank and sandbars of the Brahmaputra from Nimatighat to Jhanji is a bird lovers’ paradise with a mind-boggling variety of migratory and local birds descending in the area, especially during winter.
Former five-time MP of Jorhat Late Bijoy Krishna Handique had declared the area as a bird sanctuary in 2003 during the bird festival held in that year. However, the declaration is yet to materialize in concrete terms.
