Tuensang, September 6 (MExN): An awareness programme on human-animal conflict mitigation was held in Tuensang on September 5 at CKS Hall. Jointly organised by Forest Department, Fingerprint and Castle Group, it was sponsored by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi.
Around 80 persons comprising leaders of apex bodies of Tuensang district, tribal unions, women organisations, student bodies, and 13 pastors from different churches participated in the programme.
In her keynote address, Dr. Sentitula, IFS, DFO said that the Constitution of India Article 51(A) states clearly the duty of every citizen to protect and improve forest, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
On human-animal conflict, she emphatically said it is the result of greed of human beings, according to a press release received here. “It is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to initiate community based conservation which should give community the right to limited and sustainable use of natural resources while promoting tolerance towards wildlife,” she said. She also presented a PowerPoint on habitat manipulation and population management for successful wildlife management.
Hongba from Fingerprint gave a PowerPoint presentation on the importance of conserving biodiversity and the success story of Amur Falcons which has benefited the villagers in South Africa. Meanwhile, Vicent Belho spoke on the importance of eco-tourism for self sustaining livelihood.
RV Ezung, Superintendent of Police, Tuensang, who was the chief guest, said in order to avoid conflict there should be mutual respect between one another. “We the human and animal have inherited the earth together at the same time, so as a Christian our approach should be cosmogenic, to redeem the whole creation,” he stated, according to the release. He said whenever there is a conflict it affects everyone and everything and it results in climate change. He also appealed to all the citizens to stand together whenever there is any crime against wildlife.
Hemant Kumar, IAS SDO (C), Tuensang was the guest of honour. He challenged the citizens that it is the time to conserve, not to destroy, while highlighting how pollution results in indirect extinction of wildlife.
Senior GB, Koni Mongko expressed happiness for organising such programmes. Sharing on how birds were used as a sign of time keeper in the olden days, he lamented that nowadays birds can be seen only in TV/Books. He also stated that all the citizens should conserve biodiversity for the future generation.
