Alipurduar gears up for World Rhino Day, Buxa tiger release on Sept 22

Alipurduar, Sept. 15 -- Two major wildlife conservation programmes, one focused on rhino protection and the other on the return of the Royal Bengal Tiger to Buxa, are set to put Alipurduar in the spotlight, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari likely to visit the district twice within 11 days.

On September 22, World Rhino Day, the Chief Minister is expected to attend a special programme at either Madarihat or Kalchini, near Jaldapara National Park. The second programme is scheduled for October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, when a Royal Bengal Tiger is proposed to be released into the deep forests of Buxa Tiger Reserve. Both events are being organised by the state Forest Department.

Preparations have intensified, with the district administration, police and Forest Department holding a series of meetings. On Tuesday, North Bengal region IG Sukesh Kumar Jain, along with senior officials, inspected the Alipurduar Parade Ground in the presence of the district Superintendent of Police.

Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon said: "The Chief Minister is very keen on both programmes. He himself expressed his desire to visit Alipurduar and participate in them. Therefore, the administration and the Forest Department are working together to ensure that both events are organised successfully in every respect."

At the World Rhino Day programme, seized wildlife body parts will be destroyed in the presence of students to send a strong message against wildlife trafficking. Meanwhile, three tigresses have been identified at Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar, from among which one will be selected for Buxa. The release programme near Rajabhatkhawa is likely to be livestreamed, with a giant screen planned at the Parade Ground for residents and students.

"We plan to bring as many students as possible to the Parade Ground. Apart from bringing the tiger back to Buxa, one of the main objectives is to create awareness among the younger generation about tiger and forest conservation," Oraon said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.