Jeypore rainforest fest begins in Dibrugarh

DIBRUGARH: The much awaited Jeypore Rainforest Festival 2011 began on the banks of the Burhidehing at Jeypore in Dibrugarh district on Friday. The three-day extravaganza started off with an ethnic cultural procession that was flagged off by deputy speaker and Naharkatiya MLA Pranati Phukan.
Inaugurating the festival, Dibrugarh MP Paban Singh Ghatowar hoped that the event would help showcase the amazing bio-diversity of the Jeypore rainforest and explore its eco-tourism potential.He also pledged a financial package of Rs 5 lakh for setting up an orchid farm inside the rainforest.
In his speech, Ghatowar underlined the need for conserving the lone rainforest of the state known for its rich and complex eco-system. "Such tropical rainforests can be found only in countries like Thailand and Malaysia. We are lucky to have one such in our own state. We must all work together for its conservation," Ghatowar said. Dibrugarh deputy commissioner K K Dwivedi said the festival would go a long way in promoting tourism in the state.
The highlight of the first day was an exhibition of ethnic artefacts and cuisines of various communities. A cultural show was also organized by the song and drama division of the government of India, followed by an ethnic cultural performance by troupes from the Tai Nam Phake, Singpho, Naga, Wanghchu, Nocte and Nepali communities. The visitors also engaged themselves in elephant rides, boat rides, trekking and bird watching trips.
The Jeypore rainforest is home to a number of wildlife species, including many endangered ones. So far, 46 species of mammals, 283 species of birds, 276 varieties of butterflies, 102 species of orchids, 71 species of reptiles and amphibians, 70 species of fishes and nearly 40 species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded there.
Recently, seven wild cat species were captured on camera in Jeypore rain forest by a wildlife biologist during a survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Various species of valuable trees like Ajar (Lagerstroemia Speciosa), Bandardima (Dysoxylum binectariferum), Hilikha (Terminalia chebula), Nahar (Mesua ferrea), Holokh (Terminalia myriocarpa), Sam (Artocarpus chaplasha), sassi (Aqeilatia agallecha), Tita sopa (Michelia champaca), Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus), Bohot (Artocarpus lokoocba), Raidang cane (Calamus flagellum), Lajai cane (Calamus floribundus) and segun (Tectona grandis) are also found in the forest.