RONO HILLS, Sep 14:Rajiv Gandhi University’s Vice-Chancellor in-charge Prof Amitava Mitra released a book entitled, “Discovering Eastern Himalaya: The Arunachal Pradesh: West Kameng and Tawang” authored by Prof. Hirendra Nath Sarma, a Professor in the Department of Zoology. The book is published under the UGC sponsored Centre with Potential for Excellence in Biodiversity project being executed in RGU. 
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Amitava Mitra said, that the book will be a guide book for explorer, traveller, researcher and an asset for RGU as well as people of Arunachal Pradesh and India. There is need of such books to document nature, natural resources and human culture of Arunachal Pradesh. He praised the work as an extraordinary performance and achievement under the Centre with Potential for Excellence in Biodiversity project phase II.

Former Vice-Chancellor of RGU Prof. Tamo Mibang gracing the occasion as guest of honour commented that Arunachal Pradesh has rich bio-resources as well as human culture which need proper documentation in book form. He termed the book as an excellent piece of document on the western part of Arunachal Pradesh. 

RGU’s  Registrar in-charge Prof. Tomo Riba termed the book as rare piece wherein the author has covered almost all aspects of life in that region and from the tiniest of insects to rare orchids and from tourism to economy and also for covering the services and sacrifices of Indian army for the nation. 

The author of the book Prof H.N. Sarma, while narrating the making of the book informed that it took him arduous five years to gather the data and compile it into a book. He informed that the purpose of writing the book is to document the diverse landscape, biodiversity, culture of people of West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh as the area is undergoing rapid transition and development which may bring changes and even loss of these elements in future. He also expressed deep sense of gratitude to University Grants Commission, New Delhi for financial assistance and to people of West Kameng and Tawang, which generously provided information for the book.

 Assistant Professor in Zoology Dr. Daniel Mize while delivering welcome address, briefly introduced the author and the book and initiated the release ceremony amidst august gathering of scientists, academicians, administrative officers, scholars and student of the University. 

Dr. Hui Tag, Head, Department of Botany and Deputy Coordinator of CPEB-II, while proposing the vote of thanks informed the gathering that Arunachal Pradesh is part of Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot as declared by Conservation International. Biodiversity hotspot means rich bio-resources are under tremendous threat from people so documentation is imperative and the book is a magnificent effort. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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