Dimapur, September 18 (MExN): The Centre Chakhesang GBs Union, representing customary heads of the Centre Chakhesang area, has defended the traditional practice of rearing birds and animals, while condemning the arrest of a youth and seizure of a Great Barbet, locally known as 'Ehwu', from Porba village.
In a statement, the union said rearing birds such as the Great Barbet and Spotted Owlet at home was a deep-rooted cultural tradition and asserted that the practice could not be diluted or overridden by modern laws.
While acknowledging that certain old practices, including hanging birds on bamboo poles during the Sökrünye festival, had been abandoned, the union said rearing birds with care and treating them as family members should not be questioned. It also cited the traditional belief that such birds live longer under domestic care.
The union contended that customary ownership of land, forests, animals and birds could not be superseded by any external authority or Act and urged the State Government to address laws that conflict with customary rights.
It also criticised the Forest Department for sending what it described as confusing messages, pointing to past campaigns encouraging people to "Shoot with Camera, Not Gun", while a youth had subsequently been arrested for photographing or filming wildlife.
The union condemned the detention of Vezhoto Hesuh by the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and appealed for his immediate and unconditional release.
It also demanded the unconditional return of the Great Barbet seized on September 14, 2026, saying that forcefully removing a living animal from a village was viewed as an insult to the community under traditional norms.
The union sought a public health update on the bird, expressing concern that its transfer from a cold climate to the hot weather of Dimapur could cause stress and fatal climate shock.
It warned that if the bird was not returned as appealed, guardians of customary laws would not be able to prevent the youth from retrieving it according to traditional practices.
