Dimapur, May 26 (MExN): The third awareness campaign programme for conservation and protection of forest and wildlife to mitigate human animal conflict and wildlife crime was jointly organised by the Forest Department, Nagaland and III Battalion, Border Security Force (BSF), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India at Laniye camp of the 111 Battalion Satakha on May 22.
A press release received here from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Satya Prakash Tripathi stated that officials from the Forest Department, III Battalion. Satakha, Ministry of Home Affairs, Gol, and Chairmen, members, GBs of Laniye, Lossame, Lozaphomi, Old Phek, Khomi (Upper, Middle, Lower), Losazephe, Lozaphuhu villages and students attended the programme.
The Chief Wildlife Warden in his keynote address stated the genesis of human animal conflict and elephant problem prevalent in the State and pointed out on wildlife crimes, applicability of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 in Nagaland and compensation against crop and property damages by wild animals.
A PowerPoint presentation on importance of forest and wildlife, scenario of forest and wildlife in Nagaland, concept of community reserves and status of community reserves in the state was presented. He appealed the people to come forward for declaring their forest for community reserve and contact forest officials immediately in case of damage of their crop, properties, human life.
Enyiwekha, ACF Phek Forest Division, Phek emphasized the need for plantation of local species other than exotics mixed plantation and mono culture to have better biodiversity. A plantation drive was also initiated.
