On World Rhino Day, Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve honoured singer-composer Zubeen Garg with a bicycle rally and tree plantation drive. The rally moved from Bokakhat to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, while 52 fruit-bearing trees were planted for animals. Garg, who died recently in Singapore under mysterious circumstances, was known for his love of animals and often adopted stray cats and dogs. In 2018, PETA India had recognised his efforts with its “Hero to Animals” award. Meanwhile, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma reaffirmed Assam’s commitment to rhino conservation.
$125-mn Centre-ADB pact for urban projects
The Centre has signed a $125 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank to boost urban services and climate resilience in Assam. The project will improve livability, including metered water supply, for 3.6 lakh residents across six district headquarters—Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, and Nalbari—and Guwahati. Key plans include water treatment plants with a capacity of 72 million litres daily and installation of 800 km of distribution pipelines. In Guwahati, stormwater management will be upgraded in the Bahini Basin through flood diversion channels, drainage systems, and a retention pond.
Pushing concert tourism with Post Malone show
Assam is looking to music to attract visitors, announcing that global star Post Malone will perform in Guwahati on December 8. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the show is a big win for the state’s Concert Tourism Policy, which aims to draw audiences and boost the local economy. Assam is following Meghalaya’s example, where concerts and music festivals have brought international performers, strengthened local talent, and created jobs. The government hopes to make similar gains by positioning Guwahati as a concert hub. Sarma said this is just the beginning, with more stars expected to perform in Assam in the coming months.
Prasanta Mazumdar
Our correspondent in Guwahati
prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com