Schoolchildren and villagers participate in the rally at Bismuri in Kokrajhar on Wednesday. Telegraph picture

Kokrajhar, Oct. 6: For Kesab Basumatary and Jwngsar Basumatary, students of Bashbari High School, it is not just another rally they are participating in. This time it is call of the hour to make those living in the forests’ villages aware of the importance of protection of forest and wildlife.

Hundreds of schoolchildren and local youths from Bismuri area of Kokrajhar district today took out an awareness procession from Bashbari School to Bismuri forest office for the protection and conservation of forest and forest wealth as the forest department of the Bodoland Territorial Council issued notices against forest offences on the occasion of Wildlife Week Celebration.

Leaflets on dos and don’ts inside the forest area were distributed among the people.

The children and the youths with banners and placards marched through the stretch — from Basbari to Bismuri — that is the entry point to biodiversity reserve Ultapani forest in Ripu-Chirang reserve forest in Haltugaon forest division bordering Bhutan, shouting slogans on conservation of wildlife and forest cover.

“The older generation should realise the importance of wildlife and forest and its conservation. They should leave something for us and stop destruction of forests,” Kesab said with a placard in hand.

Encroachment and felling in Ripu-Chirang reserve forest under Haltugaon division in Kokrajhar district are continuing unabated in a well-organised manner because of political patronisation.