Manas National Park (Assam), Nov 28: Three ‘Rhino Goes to School” (RGS) outreach initiative was carried out across schools surrounding Manas National Park on November 25 and 26, with the primary aim of building a strong foundation of knowledge and awareness on Greater One-horned Rhino conservation among young students. The programme was hosted at Good Shepherd English School in Salbari under the Bhuyanpara Range, Manas ME School, and Seuj Jyoti Vidyalaya of the Basbari Range, engaging around 600 students over two days.
The central and most significant component of the programme was an in-depth, interactive session led by Aaranyak researcher Ujjal Bayan, designed to educate students about the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros-Manas’s flagship species. This session formed the backbone of the entire initiative.
Bayan introduced the students to the biology, behaviour, and conservation status of rhinos, and placed strong importance on their ecological role as a keystone species. He highlighted how rhinos shape grassland ecosystems, support biodiversity, and act as indicators of a healthy environment. Students gained a deeper understanding of why conserving rhinos is essential not only for wildlife, but for the ecological balance of Manas landscape as a whole. The session encouraged active questioning and reflection among students-making it the intellectual core of the programme. The programme continued with a discussion by Wasima Begum on “The Role of Communities and Students in Strengthening Rhino Conservation Efforts.” Her session underlined how collective action, local stewardship, and youth involvement are vital for long-term conservation success in the region.
To reinforce learning, interns Jomi Rongchon and Abhinav Bordoloi conducted an engaging quiz competition, testing students’ knowledge of rhinos, wildlife, and conservation practices.
The programme culminated in an art competition, where students creatively expressed their understanding of rhino conservation. WWF representatives Suravi Dutta and Saunde Basumatary were present during the art segment, offering guidance, encouragement, and engaging directly with the students. The programme was led by Researcher Ujjal Bayan under the guidance of Dr. Deba Kr. Dutta, Deputy Director of Rhino Research and Conservation Division of Aaranyak. The initiative was organised through a collaborative effort involving WWF, MEWS, and MMES, and was generously funded and supported by KACF.