Seminar cum workshop on Community Reserve for nature conservation conducted
Chizami, May 19 (MExN): A seminar cum workshop was organised by the Nagaland Forest Department at Tshekwelu Community Reserve for nature conservation for community and schools of the locality with participation of around 100 people.
A press release here stated that the gathering comprised of officers from the Forest Department, chairman, members, GB, head GBs of village councils of – Chizami, Enuhulumi, Thetsumi, Tsüpfume and Zelume villages, who form part of the Community Reserve including students of Sacred Heart School, Chizami.
The programme was sponsored under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Community Reserve of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi. The project proposal was prepared by Rongsenlemla IFS, in 2015 as the DFO, Phek.
VCC Chizami highlighted how the villagers, hunters in the past, became protector of the forest and wildlife. The Chairman, Community Reserve Management Committee gave a brief background of the conservation history by informing that villagers of the five villages took a decision long back in 1986 to protect an area of 1800 hectare for providing natural resources to the next generation on sustained basis on the principle of sustainable forest management, leading to sustainable development.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden in his keynote address highlighted the importance of Forest & Wildlife, scenario of forest and wildlife in Nagaland, details of Community Reserves for increasing protected area network in the state as well as financial assistance to the communities. He stated that with notification of a forest into a Community Reserve, the ownership doesn’t change and the land is required to be used only for forestry and wildlife purpose.
Suman W M Sivachar, Wildlife Warden, Kiphire Wildlife Division spoke about the role of different wild animals, be it big or small, and how they form an intricate part in the sustenance of life on the planet by citing examples. The progressive thoughts and foresight of the village councils in playing a proactive role in reduction of water scarcity via conservation of forest and wildlife was appreciated.
He also conducted a quiz on wild animals for the students present at the event and highlighted interesting facts about the behaviour of various wild animals. Bookmarks with different wild animals were given to the students.
Velatso Demo IFS, DFO, Phek, spoke on how as parents, each one of us always want the best for our children and it is therefore our duty to leave the best for our children even in the domain of forest and wildlife. Further, a copy of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 was handed over to each of the village councils and the issues of wildlife crime were highlighted. The participants agreed in principle to implement the act in totality. He appealed to the people for protection of wildlife and contact the department for compensation against damage of crops/property and human injury by wild animals. Interaction between the community and officials was also conducted where question raised by villagers were clarified by the department officials.
