Education – Assam School Relief, Litchi Exports, and Wildlife Conservation Updates –
Education – An eight-year-old student from Assam has drawn widespread attention after her simple request helped improve conditions for children attending her school during the ongoing summer heatwave. Nikita Basumatary, a Class 3 student from Bodoland Academy in Baksa district, appealed directly to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through a video message shared on social media, requesting the installation of fans in her school classrooms.
Viral Video Leads to Immediate Action
The video was recorded while Nikita was returning home from school on a bicycle with a family member. In the message, she politely addressed the Chief Minister, popularly known among many children as “Himanta Mama,” and explained the difficulties students were facing because of the extreme temperatures.
The clip quickly gained attention across social media platforms and reached government officials. Responding to the appeal, the Chief Minister’s Office coordinated with local authorities and arranged for several fans to be installed at the school within 24 hours. The swift response provided much-needed comfort to students coping with the scorching weather.
Tezpur Litchi Reaches International Markets
Assam’s renowned Tezpur litchi has achieved another milestone with successful exports to international destinations during the second edition of the Tezpur Litchi Festival. The two-day event, held on June 6 and 7, concluded with the shipment of 1,000 kilograms of litchis to Dubai and another 600 kilograms to Singapore.
Known for its rich taste and superior quality, Tezpur litchi received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015, helping strengthen its identity in domestic and global markets. The export figures were seen as a positive development for local growers and the region’s agricultural sector.
Festival Celebrates Agricultural Heritage
The festival attracted large numbers of visitors, including farmers, traders, and fruit enthusiasts. Tezpur’s association with litchi cultivation has a long history that remains an important part of the region’s cultural and agricultural heritage.
Historical accounts suggest that noted literary figure Padmanath Gohain Baruah introduced the first litchi saplings to the area while serving as chairman of the Tezpur Municipal Board. The saplings were reportedly planted near Paltanpukhuri, a locality known for its historical connection to a military regiment. Today, litchi orchards spread across more than 250 bighas, making the fruit one of the district’s most valued agricultural products.
Endangered Pygmy Hogs Reintroduced in Manas National Park
In a significant step for wildlife conservation, endangered pygmy hogs have been reintroduced into Manas National Park after a gap of nine years. Recognized as the world’s smallest and rarest wild pig species, pygmy hogs are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
As part of ongoing conservation efforts, the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme released 15 captive-bred pygmy hogs into the Kuribeel grasslands located within the national park in lower Assam.
Long-Term Conservation Plans Underway
Conservation authorities view the latest release as an important achievement in protecting one of the region’s most threatened species. The programme aims to strengthen wild populations and improve the species’ long-term survival prospects.
Officials have announced plans to release approximately 80 pygmy hogs into suitable habitats over the next five years. Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr. Vinay Gupta, described the reintroduction as a major success for conservation initiatives in the state, highlighting the collaborative efforts behind the project.