Zunheboto, June 17 (MExN): An awareness campaign 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 Vishepu Village Council on June 14 at the village council hall.
Around 100 people comprising officials from the District Administration, Forest Department, 111 Battalion, BSF Satakha, Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, Chairmen/ Members/ GBs/ DBs of Vishepu, Xuyizi, Kivekhu, Khukiye, Satakha villages, students and children attended the programme.
The Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC), Satakha welcomed the participants with emphasis on the need of conservation of natural resources for future generation on sustained basis, informed a press release from Satya Prakash Tripathi, PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland.
YM Jami, IFS, Conservator of Forests, Northern Territorial Circle, Mokokchung and special invitee of the programme highlighted that forests and wildlife play an important role in addressing issues of climate change, food/water security, environment amelioration, in addition to tangible benefits in different forms, and thus sustaining the existence/survival of the Earth. Asserting that sustainable forest management is an important component for Sustainable Development, he appealed to all the participants for protection and conservation of forest and wildlife for meeting needs of the future generations sustainably.
Meanwhile, Satya Prakash Tripathi in his keynote address stated the genesis of human animal conflict prevalent in the State in general and elephant problem in Wokha district in particular. He highlighted the policies of the State Government and the MoEF & CC, GoI, New Delhi for addressing the problem. He made PowerPoint presentation on importance of forest & wildlife, scenario of forest and wildlife in Nagaland, concept of Community Reserves.
The PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden appealed to the people for protection of forest and wildlife, come forward for declaring their forest as community reserve and contact forest officials immediately in case of damage of their crop/ properties/ human life. He also presented PowerPoint on the status of community reserves in Nagaland. He further spoke on wildlife crime, applicability of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in Nagaland, tranquilising unit in the Department for tranquilising wild animals in human habitations, compensation against crop/property damages by wild animals.
The Head GB of Vishepu village appreciated the efforts of 111 Battalion, BSF Satakha in different development activities in the village, the release stated. He also requested all the government departments to address village problems by making frequent visits.
The programme was chaired by Hushka Sema, Deputy Commandant, 111 Battalion, BSF Satakha, while Sanjeev Sharma, Commandant, 111 Battalion, BSF Satakha proposed vote of thanks. Sharma urged all participants to conserve nature for our survival, the release added.
