OUR CORRESPONDENT
TINSUKIA: Jadav Payeng, the Forest Man of India assured the large gathering that we would send proposal to the Central Government for a Hoolock Gibbon research centre at Barekuri in Tinsukia district while addressing the open session of the observance of International Gibbon Day on Sunday. Expressing concern at the declining population of the only residential colonies of ape due to canopy loss, Payeng maintained that extensive afforestation of hollong trees, the State Tree of Assam can lead to the survival of Hoolock Gibbon in Barekuri and recorded his appreciation for Barekuri community towards self-sustaining conservational efforts that they had been displaying since ages. The open session was chaired by Lileswar Chutia, president of the reception committee and was addressed by Dr Jihusuo Biswas of Primate Research Centre (NE), Tarun Baruah director APDCL, Dr Khonin Changmai of WTI, Jainal Abedin (Benu), renowned writer Juri Borgohain of Dibrugarh among others.
The 2-day International Gibbon Day was concluded of Monday with participation of conservationists, wildlife activists, primate scientist, WTI officials besides environmental NGOs and forest officials at Digholsaku-Na Motapung Puroni Bihukhola Auditorium that was organised by Barekuri Parivesh Unnayan Samity, Moran Jatiya Mahila Parisad, Green Vision NE under the patronage of OIL and Tinsukia College. The 2-day events witnessed plantations, cultural programme, sighting of gibbon, competition, cultural procession etc. The souvenir- Kolia brought out on the occasion was released by Dr Surjya Chutia, principal of Tinsukia College.
Also watch: