Indian Scientist wins a Green Oscar for her mission to save endangered Hornbills in Arunachal Pradesh

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Indian Scientist wins a Green Oscar for her mission to save endangered Hornbills in Arunachal Pradesh
by \| 16-06-2013 15:07 0
Hello Friends, In todays edition of the GULF NEWS, I read an interesting interview of Aparajit Datta,scientist at the Nature Conservations Foundation. She has been recently conferred the UK's Whitley Award also known as the Green Oscar for her exceptional work to save the endangered hornbills in Arunachal Pradesh. Along with a team of researchers and forest department officials, Aparajita has been working for more than a decade to protect birds through innovative programmes. Hornbills characterised by their long and curved beaks, particularly fascinated her, after knowing their unique breeding biology and their role as seed dispensers. This led her to engage with the tribals and understand their socio-economic needs, which is imperative to be able to reconcile people and wildlife. The combined efforts resulted in turning the tribal people from bird ?hunters? into bird ?guardians?. For the accolades received from the Whitley Fund for Nature, she credits Research Affiliate at NCF, Amruta Rane, who coordinates the field programme, which resulted in nest protection in the forests. And also, another proactive officer of the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, Tana Tapi, a source of strength in holding dialogues with the villagers. Aparajit was interested in animals from an early age. She recalls, ?As a child, I wanted to be a vet, which soon after changed into the desire to be a park ranger after living in Zambia for some years. Biology became my favourite subject in school and I was more inclined towards studying ecology.? She speaks to Gulf News in an exclusive interview which is available in the following link: http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/efforts-turn-hunters-into-bird-saviours-1.1197381 Congrats to Aparajita Datta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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