Kami, May 22 (MExN): An 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 and 111 Battalion, Border Security Force (BSF), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
A press release received here stated that officials from the Forest department, Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, village council and GBs from Kami and seven surrounding villages, students and children attended the event held at Kami Village Old Church.
Nitin Gupta, second in command, 111 Battalion, BSF Satakha said that the BSF is always ready to extend conservation awareness program as and when approach by the villagers and forest department. He requested to villages to come forward with proposal of construction of fishery ponds to the BSF.
Kenei M. IFS, Conservator of Forests, Southern Territorial Circle, Kohima and special invitee spoke on the need of conservation of forest and wildlife by the individuals and communities, as they are proprietor and owner of forest resources. He appealed to the villagers to come forward with project proposals on community reserves for possible funding by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden in his keynote shared on the human animal conflict prevalent in the State in general and elephant problem in Wokha district in particular. He also made power presentation on the status of community reserves in the state of Nagaland. He also spoke on wildlife crime, applicability of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in Nagaland, tranquilising unit in the Department in tranquilising wild animals in human habitations, compensation against crop/property damages by wild animals.
Velatso Demo, IFS, DFO, Phek translated all discussion in local dialect for better understanding of the villagers. He distributed copies of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to the participating villages. An interaction between officials of the forest department was held where questions raised by the villagers were responded by the DFO, Phek.
