9th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi, September 23, 2023:The Department of Zoology, University ofScience & Technology Meghalaya in collaboration with Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati celebrated World Rhino Day yesterday in the state zoo premises to spread awareness and educate people about these vulnerable ungulates and the danger they are facing. Students of various collegesand USTM participated in a social awareness rally therewith slogans on placards showcasing the importance and issues of rhino and wildlife
The program began with an address by Dr. Ashwini Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer, Assam State Zoo on the various conservative issues for rhinos in the wild and in zoos in and around the country. The inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury, Retd. Commissioner and Secretary to Government of Assam. With his prior and rich expertise on the fauna of North-East India, Dr Choudhuryspoke on the present status and future of rhinos in Assam.
A talk was also delivered by Dr. Narayan Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences, Cotton University who highlighted the various issues faced by wildlife in general and ways of tackling the same.Address was also made by Mr. Deepjyoti Keot, a renowned TV actor, who strongly emphasized on the social accountability of people towards wildlife in general.
The expert opinions were followed by the address Dr. B. K. Sharma, Pro Vice-Chancellor, USTM who conveyed the social responsibility of USTM towards conserving the habits and habitats of fauna in and around the region. He alsospoke on the outcome of the programme and how it would benefit thesociety.
A social awareness rally with all the invited students of various collegesand students of USTM was held where slogans in placards showcased the importance and issues of rhino and wildlife in general. Various competitions were also organized by the department in the zoo premises for drawing, photography and quiz among the invited students and general public for which certificates and prizes were distributed on the spot.
