Anti Rhino De-horning Campaign, Udmari, Chapanala, Nagaon

A public campaign against the proposed de-horning of the Great One-horned Rhinoceros was initiated under the aegis of Green Guard Nature Organization at Udmari, Nagaon, the home constituency of Assam Forest & Environment Minister, where a local artist, Mangal Nayak, has constructed a life size statue of the rhino to raise awareness about its plight. The statue of the rhino, along with another of a poacher, was unveiled by Television Presenter and environmentalist Thaza Akoijam, in the presence of hundreds of school children, local public and members of Green Guard Nature OrganizationRanjan Barthakur, Dulu Bora, Uttam K. Sangma, Amiel G Momin, Raphael Tirki, Anjana, and others. A leaflet articulating the views of international and national experts against de-horning in Assam was circulated, followed by a signature campaign against the proposal to de-horn the pride of Assam. Signature campaign was conducted among people from all walks of life in the greater Chapanala area comprising of Udmari, Kothalguri, Lungsung, Borghat, Chapanala centre, Jiajuri etc., where people unanimously voiced their opinion against mutilating the rhino and expressed that the authorities should instead concentrate on strengthening the protection measures.
Another life-size statue of the rhino, constructed at the Anganwadi centre, Ghasibasti, Chapanala was also inaugurated along with a de-horning campaign.