Dimapur, September 23 (MExN): A meeting cum awareness programme for protection of wildlife and curbing of wildlife crimes was held in Conference Hall of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Medziphema with participation of ADC, EAC, DBs, GBs, Medziphema, OC, Police station, Forest officials and Chairman and members of twenty-two villages under Medziphema Sub Division.
The programme was organized with the basic objective of curbing the sale of wild birds and animal meat near Pherima and along National Highway 29 connecting Dimapur and Kohima, stated a press release issued by Chief Wildlife Warden, Dimapur.
Vikhweno Chale, ADC, Medziphema highlighted the importance of forest and wildlife in our lives, deterioration of the habitats of wild animals and appealed to the participants and the villages to protect wild animals and birds. She also requested Forest department to help the affected villages in the form of community reserve.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland in his address stated the various provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, i.e., fine and imprisonment upto 7 years depending on the intensity of the crime. He also highlighted the various government notifications where various development funds to the villages indulging in wildlife crime will be stopped. He appealed to the villagers to join hands with the Forest department in protection of wildlife and curbing of wildlife crimes and show solidarity in this endeavor of wildlife protection as well as for Amur falcon
L. Ezung Lotha O/C, of Medziphema Police station in his address elaborated the functioning of wildlife crime unit in police department. He appealed the villagers to co-operate with the government in curbing wildlife crimes. He also informed that no person will be spared if found guilty of wildlife crimes.
There has been good number of speakers from the public/villagers where financial assistance was also sought for maintaining community conserved areas and for requisite action on the attack by wild animals.
While proposing the vote of thanks, K. Caroline Angami, Wildlife Warden, Dimapur highlighted on facilities available in the forest department for tranquilizing wild animals, provisions of compensation against damage of crops by wild animals. She appealed to the participants to protect wildlife and inform the forest department on seeing any wild animal in human habitations for appropriate action.
