Assam: Aaranyak and Rani High School holds street play on International Vulture Awareness Day

GUWAHATI-   On the occasion of the International Vulture Awareness Day today, Aaranyak, in collaboration with Rani High School, presented a compelling street play titled “Save Vulture” to underscore the critical importance of vulture conservation.

Held on September 6, the event featured an engaging and educational performance by the students of Rani High School, highlighting the alarming decline in vulture populations and the urgent need to protect these vital scavenger birds.

The street play vividly portrayed the dramatic decrease in vulture numbers over recent decades and illustrated the ecological consequences of their decline. Through a series of impactful scenes and dialogue, the students demonstrated the crucial role vultures play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by scavenging on carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases.

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Dr Prarthana Mudoi, an assistant teacher at Rani High School, led the street play. Aaranyak, region’s premier biodiversity conservation organisation dedicated to wildlife conservation, partnered with Rani High School to foster environmental awareness and inspire action among the younger generation. The collaboration aimed to educate the community about the threats faced by vultures, including habitat loss, poisoning, and the decline in their prey base.

Forest official of Kamrup East Forest Division Mrinal Kanti Nath emphasised the importance of the event. “Vultures are essential to our ecosystem, serving as nature’s cleanup crew. The decline in their populations has far-reaching consequences for our environment. Today’s event was a powerful reminder of the collective effort needed to safeguard these incredible birds and ensure their survival for future generations.”, Mr. Nath, said.

The street play not only informed the audience about the vultures’ plight but also emphasised the collective responsibility to support conservation efforts. The performance concluded with a call to action, encouraging attendees to participate in vulture conservation initiatives and spread awareness about these remarkable birds.

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“We are thrilled to see the students of Rani High School take such a proactive role in vulture conservation,” said Aaranyak’s Senior Manager in Geospatial Technology and Application Division Arup Kumar Das. ” Their performance is a testament to the power of creative expression in driving meaningful change and raising awareness about the urgent need to protect our wildlife,” added Aaranyak’s official Wasima Begum.

Head of the school Dipak Kumar Sarma said, “The students’ dedication to this cause is inspiring. We hope that their efforts will spark conversations and actions that contribute to the preservation of vultures and their habitats.”

The event was attended by forest official Mrinal Kanti Nath of Kamrup East Forest Division along with other forest personnel, Aaranyak’s Arup Kumar Das, Wasima Begum, and members including Lakhinandan Dutta and Hrishikesh Deka. Also present were team members of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Rani High School teachers Bornali Thakuriya and Kakoli Buragohain, community members, local dignitaries, and environmental enthusiasts, all united in their commitment to vulture conservation. As we mark International Vulture Day, the message is clear: protecting vultures is crucial for maintaining the balance of our ecosystems and safeguarding biodiversity.

The entire programme was coordinated by Aaranyak’s official Wasima Begum. Aaranyak intends to intensify Vulture Conservation Awareness in some selected districts in Assam in coming months to reduce the deaths of vultures.