Nagaland participates in COP on Migratory Species

Delegates and others during the 13th Conference of Parties Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals hosted by India at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from February 17 to 23. 
 

Dimapur, February 27 (MExN): The Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Nagaland participated in the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) hosted by India at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from February 17 to 23. 

The convention was held under the theme ‘Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home.’
An eleven member delegation from the department, NGOs and Jenithung Shitiri, VCC Pangti, Wokha and Hanruthong, VCC Fakim, Kiphire led by Suman W M Sivachar, IFS, DCF, Office of Chief Wildlife Warden represented the state. 

Prior to the main event, ‘Stakeholder Dialogue on the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework’ was held on February 15 with participation from member state, NGO and inter-governmental organizations. 

The stakeholder community of Nagaland was represented by Thungbemo Shitiri, President, Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union (AFRAU), Wokha and Bano Haralu, Managing Trustee, Nagaland Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Trust. 

In her address, Bano posed the question if the CMS body was looking at scaling trans-boundary co-operation between peoples for the conservation of migratory species. She said that a key factor in the experience of the Amur Falcon conservation effort was for the community to learn of their connectivity with other countries and cultures in the world through the migratory bird. 

In response, Soumitra Dasgupta, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, India said the Government of India is considering the said possibility especially between Bhutan and Bangladesh.

On February 17, stakeholder dialogue continued with different stakeholders presenting on ecotourism aspects in their areas - Ladakh, greater adjutant stork conservation by Assam, Snow Lion from Uttarakhand and initiative from Sikkim by involvement of youth and school children on greater understanding of nature conservation, training to tour guide and homestay brochure for promoting tourists aspects.

Jenithung Shitiri, President AFRAU, Nagaland spoke on the necessity of the programme to focus on greater community involvement with specific improvement of habitat of migratory species in order to provide for sustainable livelihood for the local communities.

Later, on the same day, the Nagaland context on “Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home” was given by Sivachar. The talk highlighted the Amur Falcon conservation story and also the community reserve story.

Alemba Yimchunger, Game Watcher, Kiphire Wildlife Division described in detail the traditional dress and attire of Naga warriors. He described as to how in the past, the attire had a lot of wild animal products but now the trend has been to move towards artificial replicas in order to preserve the rich biodiversity of the state.

Satemenla Longchar, Student Researcher, University of Newcastle, Australia affiliated to Wildlife Institute of India spoke on the role of Nagaland women and children in conservation.

Jenithung Shitiri spoke about the efforts and challenges the community faced in conservation of Amur falcon in Doyang area. He mentioned that the community has accepted the mantle of conservation of the migratory bird with vigor and vowed that his village would be at the forefront of the Falcon conservation in the state.

Hanruthong spoke about the formation of joint council between Fakim-Vongtsuvong-Thanamir villages with the objective of conservation. He also spoke about how community conservation is happening at the remote Indo-Myanmar border village.

Flyers on Amur Falcons; Community Reserve Project and Captive breeding of Tragopan and hornbill; Captive breeding of Asian Brown Tortoise and bookmarks were distributed during the event.

The Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Nagaland exhibited the culture, conservation and community-based conservation efforts in the state from February 14 to 22. Videos and photos were also displayed at the stall.