Guwahati: A four-day nature education camp, designed to cultivate a deep appreciation for biodiversity among young minds, successfully launched on May 17 at the Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve. This initiative brought together 32 eager students from six local schools for an immersive, hands-on learning experience within the park’s vibrant ecosystem.
Jointly organized by the Assam Forest Department and the prominent conservation NGO Aaranyak, this fourth edition of the Orang Nature Camp underscores a continuous commitment to nurturing environmental awareness in communities residing near protected wildlife areas. Dr. Vinay Gupta, Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), emphasized the department’s unwavering dedication, stating, “The Forest Department in Assam leaves no stone unturned in its sustained efforts to conserve these resourceful protected areas.”
Running from May 17 to 20, the residential camp offered a comprehensive program, blending traditional classroom instruction with dynamic field-based learning, including an exciting safari through the national park. Esteemed experts in wildlife and conservation led various modules, while local figures such as acclaimed wildlife photographer Nejib Ahmed, journalist Swapan Nath, and community nature enthusiast Baharul Islam lent their invaluable support, enriching the students’ learning journey.
Pradipta Baruah, Field Director of Orang Tiger Reserve, articulated the camp’s overarching vision, telling the students, “This experience is designed not just to teach, but to inspire. What you learn here can help you become a much better and resourceful human being, like Mother Nature — a sea of knowledge and a greater teacher.” This long-term perspective highlights the aim to empower these young participants to become future champions of conservation.
The camp, backed by the UK-based David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), has solidified its position as a vital platform for grassroots environmental education in the region. Students were carefully selected from schools in Sealmari, Bechimari, Fatasimolu, and surrounding communities, ensuring local engagement and impact.
Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Secretary General of Aaranyak, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative effort, stating, “We are grateful to the Assam Forest Department and the ONP&TR authority for facilitating a series of nature camps for students from the neighbouring areas.” He further encouraged the students to “carry the wisdom they gain here back to their peers and family, so the message of conservation can reach a larger audience,” reinforcing the ripple effect intended by the program.
Arif Hussain, Manager of Aaranyak’s Rhino Research and Conservation Division and the lead organizer of the camps, succinctly summarized the core objective: “This is about sensitising students to the importance of biodiversity and the role they can play in its protection.” The camp serves as a critical step in fostering a new generation of environmental stewards, equipped with the knowledge and passion to safeguard the region’s natural heritage.
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