Morung Express news
Beisumpuikam (Peren) | November 4
A lone ‘tagged’ Amur Falcon leisurely danced and circled for some moments in the afternoon sky on the outskirts of Beisumpuikam village before disappearing into the thick forest of Intanki National Park.
For the next one month, the Intaki Forest will be the roosting place and sanctuary of the tagged Amur Falcon fitted with satellite transmitters, before the migratory bird embarks on its 20,000 km flight back to its home in Siberia. Assisted by Hungarian scientists and others, Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang released the tagged Amur Falcon christened ‘Intanki’ in a paddy field near the entrance of Beisumpuikam village, marking the culmination of a year-long awareness campaign on mitigation of ‘human-animal conflict’ by the State Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
After the release of the bird, the CM in his address at the ‘Human-animal conflict mitigation campaign’ programme held at the village ground said human beings are responsible for the conflict as they have encroached on the animal world, forcing many animal species to the brink of extinction.
Zeliang said human beings and animals have intrinsic relationships and that the survival of man is dependent on the survival of animal and plant life. He said in the past before the ‘gun’ was introduced, Naga ancestors co-existed in harmony with nature and wildlife.
Zeliang said he distinctly remember that as a child, he would watch hundreds of hornbills hovering over the great Intanki forest and the forest coming alive with the sounds of animals and birds. But due to excessive logging, hunting, fishing and encroachment of forest, the footprints of animals have diminished and birds like the majestic hornbills migrated to other forests.
“Naga are now celebrating Hornbill Festival without the hornbill. We should commit ourselves to protect Intanki Forest and conserve the trees, then the hornbills will come back”, he said.
The CM further noted that as per the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-16) and the proposed National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-31), the area under Protected Area Network (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and community reserves) should cover 10% of geographical area.
“In our State, it is only 1.45% at the moment, which is far below the national average of 4%. In our State, the forest and tree cover has been around 80% of the geographical area. However, due to jhumming and logging activities over the year, the original forest areas, where wildlife can thrive and flourish is very small now”, Zeliang said.
On the brighter said, Zeliang said that due to sincere efforts of the State Government, particularly the Forest department and NGOs, the people of the state are now realizing the need for conservation of wildlife, and are now coming forward for protection and conservation of forest and wildlife in their respective areas.
“The best example is the new found enthusiasm for the protection of the migratory Amur Falcons, which were mercilessly hunted for food earlier. The success in community protection of Amur Falcons has been lauded and recognized all over the world”, he said.
On the occasion, the CM also announced that 2017 would be declared as ‘Year of Plantation’ in the State. Nagaland Minister for Forest, Dr. Nicky Kire meanwhile said in Nagaland policies or directives of the government cannot be implemented without the community support and participation. “We are today proud of Nagaland being declared as capital of Amur Falcon due to community participation”, he stated. The Minister said it is the responsibility of every individual and community as a whole to change the ‘conflict’ to ‘co-existence.’
A representative of the four Hungarian scientists who came to assist in the tagging of the bird observed that the world now sees Naga people through the Amur Falcon. He stated that he has shared the story of how the Naga people take pride in protecting the Amur Falcon. “I think you (Nagas) underestimate your efforts. It’s a beautiful story, from hunting to conservation.”
