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Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) has unveiled the first scientific assessment of the Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), confirming the globally vulnerable species, protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, thriving across its wetlands. KNPTR officials said that a study conducted by the Tiger Cell of Kaziranga in collaboration with Tiasa Adhya, scientist associated with the Fishing Cat Project, assessed the camera-trap images available from past All India Tiger Estimation data with two main objectives – determining if Fishing Cats are rare or common in Kaziranga, and estimating minimum individuals present. Altogether 57 unique individuals across…

In alignment with the Prime Minister's vision to improve the “Ease of Living” for pensioners and family pensioners, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) of the Government of India has launched several innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing pension policies and digitizing pension-related transactions. A significant aspect of this initiative will be the inauguration of the 58th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop (PRC) by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, scheduled for February 23 at the Administrative Staff College in Guwahati. The PRC workshops serve as a valuable resource for retiring government employees, contributing directly…

The Chief Minister has vehemently responded to criticisms from the Congress party regarding the Zubeen Garg case, emphasizing the inappropriateness of politicizing such matters during elections. He highlighted the lack of genuine concern from Congress, questioning why Priyanka Gandhi did not donate blood on Zubeen's birthday or visit the families of 860 martyrs, stating that Congress has exploited the situation for political gain. He declared that leaders from his party would only visit Zubeen's site after the elections to avoid any perceptions of politicization. The Chief Minister asserted his intention not to visit Zubeen's location while elections are ongoing, indicating…

Former Congress leader Bhupen Kumar Borah formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at its Guwahati headquarters. After 32 years with Congress, Borah cited a divergence from the party's ideals as his reason for leaving. The event was attended by state BJP president Dilip Saikia and national vice president Baijayant Panda, who welcomed him. Borah predicted that many other Congress members would follow suit and join the BJP, suggesting that it would benefit them as they face decisions during the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. His departure marks a notable shift in the political landscape, as Borah aims to serve the…

Wildlife Genetics Laboratory (WGL) of Aaranyak is hosting an eight-day training program titled “Hands-on Training on Applications of DNA Technology in Wildlife Genetics and Forensics” from April 22 to 29, 2026, at its facility in Guwahati, Assam. The training will encompass a wide range of topics, including genetic sampling techniques, DNA extraction, selection of DNA markers, PCR, electrophoresis, and forensic species identification. WGL, recognized for its work in wildlife genetics and forensics under the BNSS, 2023, boasts eighteen years of experience with numerous research projects across Eastern India and has effectively contributed to wildlife crime resolution, having solved over 180…

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Assam Regional Office, held the State Credit Seminar 2026‑27 in Guwahati, focusing on the theme of “e-KCC driven Agriculture Credit Growth.” The seminar featured the launch of the State Focus Paper (SFP) 2026‑27 by Aruna Rajoria, Commissioner and Secretary of the Agriculture Department, which identifies a credit potential of Rs 92,207.72 crore for the financial year, allocating Rs 32,603.91 crore for Agriculture and Allied Activities, Rs 52,450.29 crore for the MSME sector, and Rs 7,153.51 crore for other priority sectors. Loken Das, Chief General Manager, NABARD Assam RO, emphasized NABARD’s contributions…