Latest news with #ChandraMohanPatowary
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Assam hosts first snake symposium, flags off app to fight snakebites, boost conservation
1 2 Guwahati: Assam on Thursday took a significant step towards addressing critical issues of snakebite mitigation and snake conservation by hosting its first-ever snake symposium in Guwahati. Organised by the Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB), in collaboration with the forest department and other key stakeholders, the event saw the participation of over 130 individuals, including more than 80 trained snake rescuers from across the state, alongside leading national and international herpetology experts. A major highlight of the symposium was the launch of the SARPA app — a technology-driven platform specifically designed to streamline snake rescue operations and monitor snake-human conflict, a particularly pressing issue during the flood season when such encounters escalate. The app empowers citizens to quickly connect with certified snake rescuers, when a snake enters their home. Furthermore, each rescue operation is meticulously logged, creating a valuable data repository that aids experts in tracking snake distribution patterns across Assam. Forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, who attended the symposium, reiterated the govt's firm commitment to reducing snakebite mortality and enhancing research capabilities to tackle this urgent public health and conservation challenge. The event also marked the formal launch of the state level steering committee on snakebite mitigation, a crucial body for coordinating efforts. Additionally, a proposal was put forward to establish a state-of-the-art serpentarium in Assam. Gnaneswar Ch, project lead at the Madras crocodile bank trust/centre for herpetology, explained that such a serpentarium would focus on advanced research into snake venom and address region-specific treatment challenges. The symposium further witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASBB and Help Earth, aimed at promoting snakebite awareness and building capacity at the grassroots level through biodiversity management committees. The event included comprehensive technical sessions covering diverse topics such as snake taxonomy, venom research, ethical rescue practices, and community challenges related to snake encounters.
New Indian Express
29-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Kaziranga records world's third-highest tiger density at 18 per 100 sq km
GUWAHATI: The Kaziranga National Park in Assam, of one-horned rhino fame, has scripted a success story in tiger conservation. According to the 'Status of Tigers in Kaziranga, 2024' report released by authorities on the International Tiger Day on July 29, Kaziranga has the world's third-highest density of tigers – 18 per 100 sq km. During a 103-day camera trapping survey, 13,157 trap nights yielded 4,011 tiger images in 242 locations. The right-flank stripe patterns were used to identify 148 adult tigers–83 females, 55 males and 10 individuals with undetermined gender–in the park's three divisions. The growth is particularly notable due to the first-time sampling of the Biswanath Wildlife Division, where 27 newly-recorded tigers contributed to the overall increase. In the core Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, the population grew from 104 in 2022 to 115 in 2024. The Nagaon Wildlife Division maintained a stable count of six tigers. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam was not just protecting tigers, it was reclaiming their kingdom. 'With the world's third-highest tiger density, expanded reserves and bold action against encroachment, the striped beasts of Assam continue to roam with power and pride,' he said. The state's forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said through strict anti-poaching measures, habitat restoration, and involvement of local stakeholders, Assam ensured the tiger's roar continued to echo through its wild landscapes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga remains one of India's most crucial strongholds for the Royal Bengal tigers. Its diverse ecosystems, including eastern wet alluvial grasslands, semi-evergreen forests, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and wetlands, provide an ideal habitat for tiger and megaherbivores.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Kaziranga records high diversity of grassland bird species
GUWAHATI Researchers have found a great diversity of grassland bird species in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. In the first such survey of avians conducted between March 18 and May 25, a team of forest officials, bird experts, scientists, and conservationists recorded 43 grassland species across Kaziranga's three wildlife divisions. The survey report was released on Monday (July 14, 2025), marking a milestone in the documentation and protection of grassland-dependent bird species in the Brahmaputra floodplains. They included the critically endangered Bengal florican, the endangered Finn's weaver, and the swamp grass babbler. Among the remaining 40 species, six were in the vulnerable category — the black-breasted parrotbill, marsh babbler, swamp francolin, Jerdon's babbler, slender-billed babbler, and bristled grassbird. Grassland health 'A highlight of this survey is that the Finn's weaver, locally known as tukura chorai, is breeding successfully. This remarkable bird, a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health,' Assam's Environment Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, said while releasing the report. The 1,174 sq. km Kaziranga is a mix of grasslands, forestlands, and wetlands. 'The study is significant because wet grasslands are not very well surveyed in India. Kaziranga's grassland bird diversity can, thus, be compared in terms of species richness with the dry grasslands of Gujarat and Rajasthan,' the national park's director, Sonali Ghosh, said. A key highlight of the study was the deployment of passive acoustic recorders, enabling non-invasive and continuous monitoring even in inaccessible or high-risk areas. This approach significantly improved species detection, especially of shy and cryptic birds, enhancing the overall accuracy and depth of the findings. The report identifies several critical grassland habitats within Kaziranga that support significant populations of threatened and endemic species. One such habitat is the park's Kohora Range, where a breeding colony of the Finn's weaver was spotted.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Spurt in evictions: Assam eyes to reclaim encroached forest land
Guwahati: Assam is carrying out large-scale eviction drives in its forest lands for several interrelated reasons, driven by ecological, legal, and social imperatives with the objective of reclaiming vast tracts of encroached land. According to the Union environment ministry's report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the state's total forest area under encroachment was 3,620.9 square kilometers (3,62,090 ha) as of March 2024, making it the second highest among all Indian states and Union Territories, after Madhya Pradesh. The eviction drives in forest lands are primarily motivated by the need to reduce human-wildlife conflict, comply with judicial orders, restore ecological balance, reclaim land for public use, and enforce land laws. These efforts are complex and often controversial, reflecting the intersection of conservation priorities, legal mandates, and social dynamics. The biggest impact of the unabetted encroachment of forest lands for decades in the state has been on wildlife habitats, resulting into high incidence of human-animal conflict, particularly with elephant. Assam, particularly districts like Goalpara, has some of the highest rates of human-elephant conflict in India where encroachment into forest areas disrupts elephant corridors and habitats, leading to frequent and sometimes fatal encounters between humans and wildlife. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [화제] 150cm엄마,170아빠 이거먹고 우리아이는 180cm됐습니다! 3개월만에8cm성장 더 알아보기 Undo The eviction drives also aim to reclaim forest land to restore ecological integrity, protect biodiversity, and ensure the survival of endangered species by reviving degraded habitats. The Gauhati high court has explicitly directed the Assam govt to clear encroachments from protected forest areas. These orders often follow petitions highlighting the impact of encroachment on wildlife and forest conservation. The NGT has also mandated updated reporting and action on forest encroachment, further compelling the state to act. In some cases, land cleared of encroachment is earmarked for public infrastructure projects, such as power plants, which the government argues are for regional development and public welfare. According to data given by forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in assembly last March, of the total forest land under encroachment, over 83,000 ha are encroached by neighbouring states, over 2,50,000 ha by people of the state, and over 1,000 ha by tea gardens. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently said over 25,000 ha (more than 10,000 ha) of encroached land has been cleared in last four years. Since the BJP govt came to power in Assam in 2016, eviction drives targeting forest land, govt land, and religious places have increased dramatically compared to previous administrations. The govt cites restoration of ecological balance, curbing human-elephant conflict, and removal of illegal immigrants as primary reasons. Many eviction drives have been conducted under direct court orders or PILs, especially after a 2015 Gauhati HC directive to clear encroachments from Kaziranga National Park. The drives have been criticized for disproportionately targeting minority (especially Bangladesh-origin Muslim) communities, and for lack of rehabilitation and short notice periods.
Hans India
02-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Assam's 'Gaja Mitra' to help curb human-elephant conflict
Guwahati: In a move to curb the escalating human-elephant conflict in Assam, authorities have launched 'Gaja Mitra', a dedicated initiative aimed at protecting both local communities and the state's majestic elephants. The programme is being rolled out across five of the most affected districts -- Goalpara, Baksa, Udalguri, Sonitpur, and Nagaon -- where frequent elephant incursions have led to crop damage, property loss, and sometimes, tragic human and animal fatalities. The Gaja Mitra initiative takes a multi-pronged approach. One of its core strategies is ecological, focusing on the creation of greener, more hospitable forests to ensure elephants have ample food and migratory corridors within the wild. By restoring natural habitats, officials hope to reduce the need for elephants to venture into human settlements in search of food. Technology, too, plays a key role. AI-powered camera traps have been deployed as silent sentinels throughout the forests, capable of detecting elephant movement and sending real-time alerts to nearby villages. This smart surveillance system aims to provide communities with enough time to prepare, react, or evacuate if necessary, reducing the risk of surprise encounters. To protect livelihoods, Gaja Mitra also emphasises 'Protecting Paddy' by enhancing the procurement of crops in high-risk areas. This ensures that farmers do not bear the financial brunt when elephants forage through their fields. Additionally, trained Gaja Mitra teams -- comprising local volunteers -- will act as community liaisons. These teams will raise awareness, respond to alerts, and serve as vital links between forest departments and villagers, embodying the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, or people's participation. With a blend of ecology, technology, and community engagement, Gaja Mitra signals a compassionate shift in conservation, where coexistence, not conflict, takes centre stage. Assam Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary recently said that more than 70 people and 80 jumbos on average die every year in human-elephant conflict in the state. According to an official, when more people occupy the elephants' natural habitats, the animals are forced to leave their homes in search of food, which results in confrontation with people. He said there are currently more than 5,700 elephants living in the state.
