Assam: ‘Rhino Goes to School’ Programme Held in Manas
The ‘Rhino Goes to School’ initiative was conducted across four schools near Manas National Park to build conservation awareness among students living in forest fringe areas.
GUWAHATI — A four-day ‘Rhino Goes to School’ awareness programme was conducted across four schools located in the fringe areas of Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, reaching nearly 1,000 students and focusing on the conservation of the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
The programme was organised in schools falling under the Bhuyanpara, Kokilabari and Panbari forest ranges of the reserve. The outreach covered Barmajra M.E. School, Khamardwisa High School, Panbari M.E. Girls School and Labdangguri M.E. School, with the objective of strengthening wildlife conservation awareness among students living close to protected forest areas.
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The initiative was guided by Dr. C. Ramesh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, and Dr. Deba Kumar Dutta, Deputy Director of the Rhino Research and Conservation Division at Aaranyak. The programme was implemented in collaboration with the Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve Authority and supported by the Kaziranga Anglong Conservation Foundation (KACF).
The awareness sessions began with introductions to wildlife conservation fundamentals, including biodiversity, protected areas and the need for sustainable coexistence between human communities and wildlife. Students were also briefed on the ecological importance of Manas Tiger Reserve and the role of community participation in ensuring its long-term protection.
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These sessions were led by Josimuddin Ahmed, (Retd.), along with Pranjit Rajbongshi and his team. The core modules focused on rhinoceros ecology, habitat requirements, threats, conservation measures, and the cultural and environmental significance of the species. Students were also sensitised to issues of human–wildlife conflict and the role young citizens can play in conservation.
Interactive quizzes and drawing competitions were organised at each school to encourage student participation. Based on performance, ten students from each school were selected for an exposure visit to Manas National Park, to be facilitated by the park authority, offering firsthand experience of wildlife and habitat conservation.
The programme was coordinated by Ujjal Bayan and Swapan Das, researchers with Aaranyak, with support from Jinti Das, a PhD scholar at Cotton University, Dhritiman Sonowal, a volunteer and MSW student, and Raj Daimary. Organisers said their coordination and field support ensured smooth implementation across all locations.
Officials noted that the ‘Rhino Goes to School’ initiative represents a step towards nurturing conservation awareness among young students and empowering local communities to actively participate in protecting the wildlife heritage of Manas National Park.
