Assam - The Purbottar

05 Feb

Fringe Area Students Explore Biodiversity at 5th Orang Nature Camp

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A significant number of high school students from fringe areas participated in the fifth annual Orang Nature Camp, held from January 30 to February 2, 2026, at the Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve (ONP&TR). This event, organized by Aaranyak and the Orang Tiger Reserve Authority with collaboration from Wild Wings and support from the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), aimed to enhance awareness of nature conservation among youth. The four-day residential program allowed students to engage with conservation experts through presentations and discussions, emphasizing the need for future generations to become involved in wildlife preservation. The camp was inaugurated…

05 Feb

Assam RGU Celebrates Academic and Institutional Excellence at Chancellor’s Ceremony

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) organized the “Chancellor’s Appreciation and Felicitation Ceremony” on Tuesday, celebrating outstanding achievements of students and faculty members who have brought laurels to the University through excellence in academics, research, innovation, sports and national service. Dr. A. K. Pansari, Chancellor of RGU presented the Chancellor’s Appreciation Medals to ten achiever students in the presence of Prof AK Buragohain, Vice Chancellor; Prof. Amarjyoti Choudhury, Emeritus Professor at the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Centre for Creativity, RGU; apart from others. The event also witnessed the felicitation of 23 faculty members who have secured prestigious research project grants, highlighting…

05 Feb

International Training Programme on Captive Elephant Welfare Held at Manas

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve (MNP & TR) hosted an international training program from February 1-4, 2026, aimed at enhancing the management and welfare of captive Asian elephants. Collaborating with the Australian HELP Foundation, Kaziranga National Park, and the Wildlife Trust of India, the program emphasized science-based and ethical training methods. Selected mahouts learned to utilize positive reinforcement techniques, ensuring safe and calm interactions during veterinary procedures. Dr. Andrew McLean praised the mahouts’ retention of welfare principles, while Dr. C. Ramesh highlighted the park's leadership in elephant welfare. The initiative strengthens wildlife protection ties between Australia and India, adding…

04 Feb

Peerless Hospital Guwahati joins hands with Garima Saikia Garg to provide free medical care to 40 elderly mothers

Paromita EditorAssam

In a compassionate and heart-warming initiative, around 40 elderly mothers from Matri Niwas Old Age Home in Mathgharia, and the Government Old Age Home in Sonapur were provided free medical treatment at Peerless Hospital Guwahati on February 4. The hospital bore the complete costs of medical check-ups, consultations, diagnosis and medicines as part of its continued commitment to community welfare. The initiative was led by Garima Saikia Garg, who arranged for the elderly mothers to receive much-needed medical attention at the hospital. Peerless Hospital Guwahati extended full support to the initiative by arranging transportation for the mothers and providing free…

04 Feb

Himanta’s family occupies 12,000 bighas of land across Assam: Gaurav Gogoi

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's family has grabbed around 12,000 bighas of land across the state.Addressing a press conference here, Gogoi also claimed that Sarma has raked up his alleged Pakistan links to "cover up" the land scam."The Congress has done an investigation, and found that almost 12,000 bighas of land have been occupied by the CM and his family across Assam," he said.Gogoi claimed that the figure is not the final one as the "investigation" is still going on, and it will go up in the coming days.Asked about his…

04 Feb

Assam Hit by Mild Quake, No Damage Reported

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale was felt in several parts of Assam early Wednesday morning, causing brief panic among residents in different districts. The tremor occurred shortly after dawn, when many people were still at home, and was strong enough to be noticed indoors. According to preliminary seismic information, the epicentre of the earthquake is believed to be near Dhekiajuli. Mild to moderate shaking was reported from surrounding areas, including parts of Guwahati and nearby districts. Residents said they felt beds, doors, and windows shake for a few seconds, while some household items rattled briefly. There were…

04 Feb

Gaurav Gogoi to Lead APCC Election Panel Ahead of Assam Polls

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Indian National Congress has announced the formation of the State Election Committee of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) as the state prepares for Assembly elections later this year. Congress Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee with immediate effect. The decision was conveyed through a letter dated February 3, issued by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal. In the letter, Venugopal stated that the proposal for constituting the committee had received formal approval from the Indian National Congress President. The newly formed committee brings together a wide range of senior and…

04 Feb

Massive fire ravages Subhasnagar in Dima Hasao, 13 houses reduced to ashes

Banasree SarkarAssam

In the Dima Hasao district, a huge fire tore through Subhasnagar beneath the Maibang police station, destroying at least 13 homes and displacing residents. In the crowded residential area, the fire broke out early on Tuesday and quickly spread. Although the cause is being investigated, local reports confirm there were no injuries. In accordance with district procedures, Maibang station firefighters arrived quickly and fought the fire for two hours before putting it out. This tragedy highlights the persistent fire vulnerabilities in Maibang's rural homes, where previous outbreaks have been caused by inadequate safety infrastructure. More fire extinguishers and awareness campaigns…

04 Feb

Study Traces How Kaziranga Became the Final Stronghold of the One-Horned Rhino

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

From the wetlands of Assam’s Kaziranga National Park (KNP) emerges an ecological narrative regarding the evolution of the one-horned rhinoceros, influenced by climate change, vegetation shifts, invasive species, and herbivore activity. Factors such as rapid urbanization, industrialization, deforestation, and natural disasters contribute to global ecological degradation, particularly impacting biodiversity in Northeast India—a critical region within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot known for its endangered species. Scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences utilized pollen from sediment cores extracted from KNP’s Sohola swamp to uncover long-term palaeoecological records related to palaeoherbivory. Their research, published in the journal 'Catena,' reveals a stark…

04 Feb

Search Underway for Three Students After Boat Capsizes in Assam River

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are carrying out an intensive search operation along the stretch of the Gangadhar River in western Assam’s Dhubri district to trace three students who went missing on Tuesday after a country boat ferrying them capsized in the river. A group of 22 students had travelled to the riverine island to perform shraddh , a traditional funeral ritual when the mishap took place at Belpara Char in the Tamarhat area. According to witnesses, the boat lost balance midway through the return journey and overturned in the river. Even as most of the other…