ITANAGAR, Jun 19: Eminent journalist and activist from Nagaland, Bano Haralu, has been selected for the 2nd Bijoy Krishna Handique Memorial Award for Leadership in Wildlife Conservation in the North Eastern Region, instituted by the Development Foundation of Assam (DFA) last year in memory of the veteran parliamentarian.
The selection panel constituted by the DFA decided to confer the award to Haralu in view of her significant role in the conservation of Amur falcons (migratory predatory bird) through community mobilization and collaboration with local youths, administrations and research institutions in various parts of the Northeastern region, particularly in the state of Nagaland.
The panel has also recognized her exemplary efforts towards eradication of the prevalent mass hunting practices in Nagaland through various awareness initiatives with the stakeholders, ensuring zero mortality of Amur falcons in Nagaland within a record time of one year. The panel also highlighted her role in introducing educational programmes in schools to teach local children about the lifecycle of Amur falcons and why they should be protected.
Rajen Bodo, wildlife activist from Udalguri district of Assam, was the first recipient of this award for his role in mitigating human-elephant conflict in the Indo-Bhutan border.
The award carries a trophy, citation and a cash entitlement of Rs 1 lakh. It will be conferred at a ceremony at the Science Planetarium in Jorhat on 30 July, commemorating the third death anniversary of former union minister BK Handique.
