"Let's break the myths and conserve the predators of the dark": Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah highlights owl conservation
Guwahati, June 20
Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Saturday highlighted the importance of conserving the state's rich biodiversity by sharing a video featuring a spotted owlet, one of the most commonly found owl species in Assam, documented by noted wildlife photographer Nilutpal Mahanta.
The Assam Forest Minister shared a video on social media and emphasised that the state's greatest natural strength lies in its diverse flora and fauna, calling for greater awareness and conservation of wildlife species that are often misunderstood.
"Assam's biggest power is its diverse flora and fauna. A spotted owlet, one of the common owls of Assam, well documented by Wildlife Photographer Dr. @NilutpalMahanta. Let's break the myths and conserve the predators of the dark," Jayanta Mallabaruah wrote on X.
In the video, wildlife photographer Mahanta discusses several myths and superstitions associated with owls, many of which have historically contributed to negative perceptions of the nocturnal birds.
He explained that owls possess exceptionally sensitive hearing, aided by specially adapted ear structures that enable them to detect even the slightest movements of prey.
He also addressed a common misconception that owls can only see in darkness, clarifying that they are capable of seeing both during the day and at night.
The wildlife photographer stressed the need to move beyond superstition and understand the ecological importance of owls, which play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems by controlling rodent and pest populations.
The Assam Minister's post forms part of broader efforts to promote wildlife awareness and conservation in Assam, a state renowned for its rich biodiversity and home to several iconic species found in its forests, wetlands and protected areas.
Conservationists have often highlighted that public awareness is key to protecting lesser-known species such as owls, which continue to face threats due to habitat loss, misconceptions and illegal wildlife trade.
The initiative has been welcomed by wildlife enthusiasts, who see it as an important step towards encouraging scientific understanding and strengthening conservation efforts across Assam.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is a much-needed initiative. Living in urban Bengaluru, I rarely see owls anymore. It's heartbreaking how we've driven them away due to superstition and habitat destruction. But I have a small concern—while awareness campaigns are great, does the Assam government have concrete plans to protect owl habitats? Conservation needs more than just social media posts. Wish they'd announce specific actions like protecting old trees in forests where owls nest.
Great initiative! I'm a wildlife researcher from Canada and I've studied owl behavior in North America. It's fascinating how similar myths exist across cultures. Even here, some people think owls are spooky or bring bad luck. The ecological importance of owls is universal—they're nature's rodent control. I hope Assam's efforts inspire other Indian states to launch similar campaigns. Would love to collaborate with local conservationists if possible!
As a farmer from Punjab, I can tell you owls are our best friends! They eat rats and mice that damage our crops. But my neighbors still believe old wives' tales. Once, someone caught an owl and wanted to kill it because they thought it was 'unlucky'. I released it in my fields. The Minister is right—we need to break these myths. Wildlife awareness should start from schools. Make children love these birds, and they'll grow up protecting them.
This is fascinating. I'm from the UK where we have barn owls, tawny owls, and little owls. We also had superstitions here centuries ago—owls were associated with witches in medieval times! But now most people appreciate them. India has such incredible biodiversity—I've seen photos of spotted owlets and they're beautiful. I'm glad the Minister is taking a stand against superstition. Education is key. Maybe schools in Assam can have owl-themed nature walks? That would be lovely. 🦉🌿
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