A visit to Pobitora, an obscure jungle patch harbouring the endangered rhinoceros in Assam, motivated Moloy Baruah and friends to kick-start an environment group.

Located about 50 km north-east of Guwahati, Pobitora is a little known wildlife sanctuary, which fascinated the six men on their first visit in 1989 when they were around 30 years of age. They had gone on their motorcycles to the park to make merry, but came back wiser with much respect for Mother Nature.

Life changing decision

The forest administrator at the sanctuary had reprimanded them for wasting their youthful days. He sternly advised them to admire birds, bees, wild flora and work to save the unique Indian rhinoceros found only in Assam. This obviously had a deep impact. The friends returned to Guwahati pensive. Later, they harnessed their limited resources and in 1991 started a not-for-profit outfit, Early Birds.

The cause of saving the flora and fauna soon caught the fancy of many young people who became volunteers and members. Most of them started off as amateur birdwatchers lured by the bountiful and beautiful birds in the woods. They realised that wildlife faced plenty of problems from various quarters, particularly people bordering protected forests. They then began to acquire knowledge and skills in specifics that make wildlife vulnerable, including identifying migratory birds, tracking tigers, rhinos and elephants. Looking for spoor and tell-tale marks indicating wildlife soon became an obsession. Protecting roosting and nesting sites of endangered birds and wild animals also became mandatory for all the 200-odd members.

Baruah, founder and present president of Early Birds explains that the first five years were difficult as all members had to keep their regular jobs as well. The members realised that mere appreciation and vocalisation on the wonders of wildlife was not effective. In the next five years they thought of a different approach to support wildlife. They came up with brilliant ideas, but most schemes needed big bucks to accomplish. So they crystallised facts into simple practical solutions and offered to curtail diseases spread by domestic cattle to wild denizens in the jungles. Anthrax, foot & mouth disease (FMD) and rinderpest were tackled that also affected deer, antelopes, rhinoceros and even elephants.

To generate more ventures, veterinarians were hired and health camps for cattle were conducted on the periphery of wildlife sanctuaries. The villagers were the most happy as their cattle received free treatment and medicines.

Baruah recalled how by the second decade the organisation had garnered a good reputation and was in demand for its services. In its 26 years Early Birds set up at least 200 treatment-cum-vaccination camps in Nameri, Kaziranga, Manas, and of course Pobitora.

Their dedication brought them grants from the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Animal Welfare Board of India, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Assam Science Society among other public and private establishments who came forward to assist them. However, there was always need for more funds to conduct coaching camps and workshops to encourage rural communities, says Baruah.

Purnima Sharma, long time mentor of the organistion was also involved in eco legal battles. After repeated court hearings, Early Birds managed to stop rampant encroachments into Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary and forest dwellers were evacuated with suitable compensation.

Zakir Ahmed, a long time associate, and Dipak Sagar Das, an advisor, explained how, over the years, the organisation specialised in animal treatment with documentation and data of both domestic and wild herbivores in Assam.

The writer is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer based in Noida

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