To help conserve the Greater Adjutant Stork that is found in the Kamrup district of Assam, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has asked deputy commissioner of the district to undertake a tree census.
Sonowal on October 22 asked the DC to undertake the census in the Dadariya, Pachariya and Singimari areas of the district.
The chief minister, while releasing a documentary on Assam’s Greater Adjutant Stork – commonly known as Hargilla – produced by a team of Cornwell University, US at Janata Bhawan, said that tall trees serve as suitable habitat for Hargilla.
“Keeping large number of tall trees will help in Hargilla conservation efforts and increase the population of this dying species,” Sonowal said.
He also emphasised on an action plan for Hargilla conservation so that ecological equilibrium can be maintained in the state.
Sonowal hailed the efforts of Purnima Devi Barman and her dedicated team of women who have formed Hargilla army for revolutionizing Hargilla conservation efforts in the state.
Because of community efforts of Hargilla Army, the nests of Greater Adjutant Stork have increased from 30 in 2008 to 171 in 2014.
At present the average nest number is 200, transforming Dadariya and Pachariya areas into the largest breeding colony of the Adjutant Stork.
The conservation efforts have also resulted in increasing the number of Hargilla population in Kamrup district substantially.
The documentary depicted the pioneering work of how Hargilla Army became the first-ever women-led conservation movement of Northeast India.
The Assam CM assured all help to Hargilla Army in its noble endeavour. He also asked the members to generate large scale awareness among the people so that the conservation efforts transform into a mass movement and Assam becomes a springboard for Hargilla conservation.
