Haflong : Aaranyak has provided 250 raincoats, 10 Ranger’s torch, and 2 Global Positioning Systems to the department to support their conservation and protection activities. Several Executive Members and MAC’s along with government officials were also present in the event where Gorlosa discussed about issues of forest and wildlife conservation in the district.

He encouraged Aaranyak to take various studies and capacity building activities in the district to ensure long term conservation of natural resources of the district. He also described various efforts of the council to secure the forests and wildlife. On the occasion research driven conservation non-profit Aaranyak also handed over several photographs of the key wild animals to CEM Gorlosa, which were photo-captured in various parts of Dima Hasao district recently.

Tuhin Langthasa, DFO West and  Tunu Langthasa, DFO East were also present in the meeting. From Aaranyak, Dr. Jayanta Kumar Sarma, Dr. Firoz Ahmed and Dr. Dipankar Lahkar were present in the meeting. It is worth mentioning that Aaranyak has been working in Dima Hasao district along with Karbi Anglong and Jayantia Hills over a large forested landscape to understand the natural resource use and status of forest conservation along with key wildlife.

The US fish and Wildlife Service has supported Aaranyak for this exercise. The study will help to understand forest conservation status and scenarios how local communities are dependent on the natural resource. This will further assist in future conservation planning of the natural resources of the district as well as to understand livelihood opportunities of the local indigenous communities.

Mention may be made here that Aaranyak has been working closely with three Autonomous Councils of Assam, namely, Bodoland, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Autonomous Councils to support their efforts of forest and biodiversity conservation while ensuring sustainable livelihoods of local communities dependent on forest resources.