Guwahati: To mark International Vulture Awareness Day 2025, biodiversity conservation group Aaranyak, in collaboration with Rani High School and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), organised a street play at Rani Market to spread awareness on the urgent need to conserve vultures. The initiative was supported by the Oriental Bird Club. The play, guided by Dr. Prarthana Mudoi of Rani High School, was performed by students and highlighted the sharp decline in vulture populations due to accidental poisoning. Drawing a large crowd, the performance underscored the crucial ecological role vultures play as natural scavengers. “Vultures need support to survive and carry forward their ecological role in keeping our environment clean and healthy. Aaranyak has been working on vulture conservation in parts of Assam since 2024,” said Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Secretary General and Executive Director of Aaranyak. The event was coordinated by Aaranyak officials Wasima Begum and Kakali Baishya, who stressed the dangers of ignoring vulture conservation. “In areas where vultures have vanished, diseases spread quickly. Their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem,” Baishya observed. The programme was attended by BNHS official Aneena Lakshmanan M V, Jayanta Kumar Rabha, and intern Jyoti Gupta, alongside Rani High School teachers Barnali Thakuria, Jayanti Boro, and Lakshyadhar Daimary, who supported the students throughout the event. Aaranyak extended appreciation to Dipak Kumar Sarma, Head of Rani High School, for encouraging student involvement in conservation. “Many still don’t realise the vital role vultures play. Awareness from schools to communities is essential to save these birds,” added Wasima Begum. The event reflected Aaranyak’s continued commitment to environmental education and the protection of threatened species.
