Elephants lead the procession from Assam zoo to RG Baruah Road on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Oct. 1: Remember Rajesh Khanna crooning Chal chal chal mere haathi to his pet elephant in the seventies’ flick Haathi Mere Saathi?

Real life imitated the screen when man and elephant walked in harmony during a procession to mark the beginning of the 53rd Wildlife Week.

The aim of the procession was to symbolise peaceful co-existence between man and his wilder counterparts.

Though the number of elephants fell to two from six as in previous years, the enthusiasm never subsided as man and animal moved along in total harmony.

“It was a great sight and one should understand that if not disturbed, elephants can be wonderful friends,” Esther Rupa Sahu, an executive working in a multi-national company, said.

Principal chief conservator of forests S. Doley flagged off the procession, which started from Assam zoo. Doley also spoke on the need for greater awareness regarding wildlife conservation on the occasion.

The elephant procession went only up to RG Baruah Road and not to Zoo Tiniali, as was scheduled, as the heat played spoilsport.

The elephants lined up for the procession belonged to private individuals.

A painting competition for students will be held on Tuesday morning as part of the celebrations during the week. This will be followed by a quiz competition at noon.

“This is being done to create awareness amongst the students and there can be no better time than wildlife week,” the official said.

The painting competition will be held in five categories, including one for the deaf and dumb and physically challenged children.

Students will have to bring their own colours while the zoo will provide them with paper.

The teams for the quiz competition will have two persons each.

Entry will be free for students who come in a group from their schools.

“We are expecting a huge crowd tomorrow, as it is a holiday,” a zoo official said.

The zoo has requested conservation NGOs to be part of the awareness drive.

The concluding ceremony will be held at Rabindra Bhawan on Sunday, where the forest department will felicitate personnel who have done excellent work in the field of conservation this year.

However, the mood of the occasion was somewhat marred, as Nature’s Beckon, a conservation NGO, staged a demonstration at Guwahati Press Club. The NGO demanded better protection for national parks and sanctuaries.

The Regional Science Centre in Khanapara is observing World Wildlife Day with a daylong programme on Thursday. There will be a sit and draw contest for students with topics like My Pet Animals, A View of Animals in the Zoo and A View of Wildlife in the Polar Region.

A film show on the animal kingdom — insects will also be shown, followed by a lecture on wildlife conservation in the Northeast by Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, member of the National Board of Wildlife.

An open house visual quiz on birds will also be held. A maximum of 15 students from each school can participate in the sit and draw contest. There will be no entry fee.