Guwahati - The Purbottar

10 Feb

1,000 Students Sensitised on Rhino Conservation Near Manas National Park

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A comprehensive series of 'Rhino Goes to School' awareness programmes took place over four days across four schools situated in the fringe areas of the Manas National Park & Tiger Reserve (MNP&TR) in Assam, specifically targeting the Bhuyanpara, Kokilabari, and Panbari forest ranges. The initiative reached approximately 1,000 students, emphasizing the significance of wildlife conservation, particularly for the Great one-horned rhinoceros. Led by Dr. C. Ramesh, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of MNP&TR, alongside Dr. Deba Kumar Dutta, Deputy Director of the Rhino Research and Conservation Division (RRCD) at Aaranyak, the programme was implemented in collaboration with…

10 Feb

Rare Hoolock Gibbon Dies After Coming in Contact with Live Railway Line in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

In a distressing event that has raised alarm among conservationists, an endangered hoolock gibbon was electrocuted on a railway line those traverses one of Assam's biologically significant forests. This incident underscores the critical threats that the electrified railway poses to wildlife, particularly to tree-dwelling species such as hoolock gibbons. The recent electrification of the railway line, executed without adequate protective measures, has exacerbated the risks to these animals. Forest officials confirmed that the deceased was an adult male gibbon found in the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Mariani in Jorhat district. Arboreal species like gibbons typically avoid descending to…

10 Feb

Tawang Hosts Capacity Building Programme on Bio-Fortified Rice

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A day-long capacity building training and interaction programme focusing on bio-fortified rice varieties was held at Zomkhang Hall in Tawang, organized by KVK Tawang in association with ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad Telangana. The event featured Keertika Kashyap from NABARD as the chief guest, alongside guest of honour Nawang Chonzom and several other dignitaries including Dr. C. N. Neeraja, Dr. Jyoti Badri, Dr. Kalyani M, Dr. Veerendra Jaldhani, Tashi Lungtan, and Jambey Tenzin. Farmers were educated about the suitability and benefits of bio-fortified rice varieties for hilly regions, focusing on their nutritional and agronomic advantages. The programme commenced with…

09 Feb

Drones Emerge as New Tool in Northeast Insurgent Groups’ Arsenal

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Insurgent groups in Northeast India are increasingly employing advanced technologies such as drones for surveillance and logistics, causing rising concerns among security agencies and prompting a reassessment of defense capabilities. A Naga insurgent group is reportedly using several surveillance drones, including quadcopters and hexacopters, believed to be sourced through networks in Myanmar’s Kachin region with alleged connections to Chinese suppliers. While these drones are mainly for reconnaissance, officials worry they could be repurposed for offensive actions. Kuki militant groups have also been noted for similar technological advancements, with prior reports indicating experimentation with weaponized drones. A recent incident involved the…

05 Feb

Major Drug Bust in Guwahati: ₹2 Cr Heroin Recovered, 2 Nabbed

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A raid conducted by the Gorchuk Police Station in the Ananda Nagar area of Guwahati resulted in the seizure of 360 grams of heroin, which was packed in 30 soap boxes. This operation was triggered by intelligence received regarding drug trafficking activities. Two individuals, Shahrukh Ahmed from Amariya in Barpeta and Jainul Khan from Rahampur, also in Barpeta, were arrested in connection with the arrest. During the raid, authorities confiscated three mobile phones, including an iPhone, from the suspects. The heroin is believed to have been smuggled from Champai in Mizoram, with its estimated value exceeding Rs 2 crore on…

05 Feb

Assam to Take Up Full Electoral Roll Revision Post Elections

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on February 4 said that a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state will be carried out in a very detailed and proper manner after the Assembly elections are completed. He said the proposed exercise will be much more extensive than the revision process that is currently going on in the state.The Chief Minister made the statement while speaking to reporters after attending an official programme at Sonari. He said that at present, Assam is undergoing a Special Revision of the electoral rolls, but this should not be confused with…

03 Feb

Machine Learning Drives New IIT Guwahati–UK Framework for CRM-Free Metal Alloys

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, collaborating with various universities, have developed a machine learning-based approach for creating advanced metal alloys that exclude Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). This method is aimed at identifying sustainable, high-performance alloys less reliant on fragile supply chains. High-Entropy Alloys (HEAs), which balance multiple metals in their composition, have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional alloys, often used in critical industries like aerospace and nuclear power. However, many HEAs utilize CRMs, which present challenges due to their limited availability and environmental impact. To tackle this issue, the team formulated a machine learning-assisted framework that…

02 Feb

Robbery Accused Injured in Police Firing in Guwahati

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

One of the accused arrested in connection with a robbery, was shot and injured by police when he allegedly tried to escape from custody. The injured accused, identified as Madhab Das, and two others -- Subhash Das and Kartik Sharma Lakhon -- were arrested by police for their alleged role in a robbery incident at Nirupama Enclave at Bertola area of Guwahati on the night of January 30. Police said they recovered cash amounting to Rs 15.56 lakh from the accused. Preliminary investigation indicated that Madhab Das was the alleged mastermind behind the robbery, police said. During a follow-up operation…

31 Jan

Local Participation Helps Mitigate Human–Wildlife Conflict in Pobitora Landscape

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A series of community-based initiatives around Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary have proven effective in decreasing human–animal conflict (HAC) and enhancing local support for the conservation of the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Spanning 38.81 square kilometers, Pobitora is home to 107 rhinos, the highest density globally. Challenges for conservation arise from surrounding agrarian villages experiencing crop damage and safety threats from wild animals, particularly buffaloes and rhinos. Conservation organization Aaranyak, in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and supported by IUCN (CAG), has initiated various strategies to mitigate these issues and promote coexistence. Key interventions include the installation of solar streetlights in…

30 Jan

Workshop to Strengthen SOPs on Floods, Extreme Heat Underway in Guwahati

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

A two-day State-Level Consultative Workshop for developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Flood and Extreme Heat is being organized by the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), Government of Assam, in collaboration with the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) and UNICEF from Thursday. The workshop, being held in Guwahati, marks a critical step towards institutionalizing child and gender-responsive disaster preparedness in Assam, in alignment with the Assam DRR Roadmap 2030. Senior government officials, domain experts, academicians, development partners and field practitioners are attending the workshop to review and strengthen existing SOPs on floods and to draft a dedicated…