Guwahati, 29th May: The recent onslaught of a powerful storm in Kaliabor has not only wreaked havoc on human habitats but has also brought peril to the local wildlife, particularly a flock of egrets (bogoli) seeking refuge in the area’s trees.
Eyewitnesses recount the scene of devastation, with numerous coconut and betel nut trees uprooted by the ferocity of the storm. Among those affected were the peaceful nesting grounds of egrets, disrupted by the chaos of falling trees.
In the words of a local eyewitness, “Today, a powerful storm wreaked havoc in our area. Numerous coconut and betel nut trees were uprooted and also disturbing the peace of the egrets nesting. Sadly, all the egrets, along with their eggs and babies, fell from the trees when they were uprooted. These egrets had been living in these trees for quite some time. The storm today caused extensive damage.”
The plight of the egrets has not gone unnoticed, as four journalists from Kaliabor took swift action to rescue the injured birds amidst the debris-strewn landscape.
Tragically, the storm’s impact was most severe in Gumutha village, where over 50 egret babies were injured, and many eggs were destroyed, resulting in the loss of several egret babies. For years, the bamboo trees in Gumutha village had been a sanctuary for thousands of egrets seeking shelter.
The heroic efforts of journalists Dipu Bora, Ashish Kumar Saikia, Rupjyoti Goswami, and Lalksa Bora in rescuing the injured egrets exemplify the community’s compassion and resilience in the face of adversity.
The injured egrets, along with their babies, have been entrusted to veterinary doctor Suroj Pratim Kakati for urgent medical care, as the community rallies together to provide support to the wildlife affected by the storm.
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