Paromita Editor

In a first for India, the country’s first satellite-tagged Ganges softshell turtle was released in the Kaziranga NationalPark.The release coincided with Endangered Species Day.Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called it a major step for wildlife conservation."Marking #EndangeredSpeciesDay, the country’s 1st satellite-tagged Ganges softshell turtle was released in @kaziranga_, a major step for wildlife conservation. A proud moment for Assam as we continue to protect every species that calls our forests home," Sarma posted on X.The Ganges softshell turtle is a freshwater reptile whose distribution is largely restricted to the Ganga, Indus and Mahanadi river systems in northern and eastern…

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav today shared a video on X of a hoolock gibbon using canopy bridge to cross a railway track in Assam, and described it as a watershed moment in gibbon conservation in the country.He captioned the post as "Innovation-led conservation!", and wrote, "Good to see that mitigation measure such as this canopy bridge made over a railway passing through Assam has started being used by hoolock gibbon.This shows science-led small-scale efforts can also be of great help in biodiversity conservation."The railway line shown in the video traverses the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary…

Pawan Khera on May 14 appeared before the Assam Police Crime Branch in Guwahati for the second consecutive day in connection with cases filed by Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. The cases were registered after Khera alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma possessed multiple passports and undisclosed foreign properties. The Congress leader was questioned for more than ten hours on Wednesday before being asked to appear again on Thursday morning. Khera had reached the Crime Branch office around 10:30 am on Wednesday. Before entering the office, he told reporters that he had been summoned and had appeared in accordance…

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted thunderstorm and lightning with heavy to very heavy rain and gusty wind in the next two to three days at isolated places over Guwahati in Kamrup Metro district and other districts of Assam.“The weather pattern suggests that thunderstorm with lightning and heavy rain is very likely at the isolated places in the city and other districts in the coming two to three days, which may aggravate water logging, slow vehicular movement and increase the risk of localised landslides in vulnerable pockets,” a statement issued here by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA)…

Fresh panic gripped parts of Nagaon district after five people, including a woman, were injured during an operation carried out by the Assam Forest Department to control a wild elephant in the Borma area on May 14. According to local sources, officials from the department, including teams from the Shalna and Udmari forest ranges, were trying to drive away a wild elephant that had entered the locality and caused panic among residents. During the operation, forest personnel reportedly fired warning shots in the air to control and disperse the animal. However, the situation turned chaotic when stray bullet fragments allegedly…

BJP has hailed the fulfillment of certain key pre-poll promises made by the party in the very first meeting of the state Cabinet.Addressing a press conference today at the state BJP Headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan, in Guwahati, party spokesperson Dr. Suranjan Dutta stated that every political organisation, on the eve of an election, unveils a Vision Document embodying its solemn commitments for the welfare, prosperity, and holistic advancement of the people. In the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly Election as well, BJP Assam Pradesh had presented before the people an extensive Sankalp Patra comprising 31 transformative and people-centric commitments dedicated…

Assam has marked a significant milestone in its agro-forest economy with the first legally approved export of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, opening a new chapter for an industry with vast global demand and strong revenue potential.The consignment was exported after securing all statutory clearances, including a CITES permit and a restricted export licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.The consignment, comprising 100 kg of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and 12 kg to the UAE, was dispatched from the cargo terminal of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Wednesday.Agarwood, also known as…

Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 13 said the investigation against Congress leader Pawan Khera would proceed according to law after the latter appeared before the Crime Branch in Guwahati. Speaking at a press conference after chairing the first cabinet meeting of his second consecutive term, Sarma said the police would continue questioning Khera in connection with allegations involving fake documents, multiple passports, and undisclosed overseas properties. “As per the Supreme Court order, he appeared before the Crime Branch on Wednesday, and the police will definitely ask him questions,” Sarma said. The Assam chief minister also claimed that the state government…

Responding to the clarion call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “economic self-reliance” and responsible nation-building, Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Wednesday announced measures aimed at promoting fuel conservation and sustainable living in the state.As part of the initiatives, Governor Acharya stated that the size of the official carcade used for his travel would be reduced by 70 per cent.The Governor has also initiated measures to reduce electricity consumption at Lok Bhavan, Assam.Earlier, he had taken steps to reduce the standard fuel utilisation by 10 per cent as part of ongoing efforts towards resource conservation and administrative efficiency.The Governor…

Pawan Khera on Wednesday appeared before the Crime Branch of Assam Police in Guwahati for questioning in connection with cases filed by Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma. The cases were filed after Khera raised allegations that she possessed multiple passports and had undisclosed foreign properties and assets. Speaking to reporters outside the Crime Branch office, Khera said he was cooperating with the investigation. He stated that he had been summoned by the police and had appeared accordingly, adding that he respects the law and the judiciary and was present as per legal procedure. Khera also said he would…