Assam: Aaranyak scientist gets Parivesh Mitra Sanman award

Guwahati: Assam's renowned primatologist and senior scientist with biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, Dr Dilip Chetry was conferred the “Parivesh Mitra Sanman- 2023” award as part of the celebration of the National Science Day, 2024 on February 28.

“Dr. Dilip Chetry is a senior primatologist who has been extensively working in the field for last 3 decades.  His works specially focus on the Hoolock Gibbon Conservation. Apart from research and awareness education, he has led initiatives to build the capacity of forest staff of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura”, said Aaranyak in a press statement.

The event with the focal theme – Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat was organised by the Science, Technology and Climate Change Department  of Asam Government through Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) to honour prominent personalities  having tremendous footprints in the field of science and technology.

The award ceremony was graced by Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Science, Technology and Climate Change minister Keshab Mahanta besides a host of other senior and distinguished officials.

Dr Chetry is currently holding the position of Vice- President of Aaranyak besides heading the Primates Research and Conservation Division of the organisation since 2002.

Dr Chetry is also a Vice-Chair of IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group of South Asia, Executive member of IUCN/SSC Small Ape Section and a member of the International Primatological Society and American Society of Primatology, Nepal Biodiversity Research Society, Gauhati University Ethics Committee and Vijna Bharati Northeast / Northeast Science Movements.

He has also been holding the position of Director of Gibbon Conservation Center of Aaranyak in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary since 2004. He is also a Board of Director in Scholars Institute of Technology and Management in Guwahati, Assam.

Previously he was the Honorary Wildlife Warden and a member of State Wildlife Board, Government of Assam. He has published more than 45 research papers in national and international journals.