Conservation efforts clashing with traditional hunting practices
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 10
In order to ensure continuity of conservation efforts in the state, the Foundation for Ecological Security on Wednesday conducted a webinar session where members of various Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) in Nagaland took part in sharing their experiences with their counterparts across the state.
During the webinar, chairpersons of the Shathuya CCA in Meluri sub division under Phek district, Gaili CCA under Peren District and the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation & Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) under Zunheboto district shared their experiences and challenges on the field which was followed by an open discussion session.
A common point raised by the participating CCAs was the frequent conflicts that arise out of conservation efforts clashing with traditional hunting practices. This often results in implementing agencies such as the Village Councils being unable to punish defaulters.
While most of the participants viewed that a total ban on hunting and fishing would be impossible in the state, there was a strong consensus that hunting/ fishing should some be prohibited at least in areas under the CCAs.
In this regard, the Village Development Board Secretary of Poruba village under Phek district viewed that education of the masses would be more effective than framing resolutions and imposing fines. Pointing out that almost every household, especially in rural areas, possesses at least one hunting equipment, he said “The people should be made to understand the harmful effects of hunting and exploitative foraging. When they begin to understand the value of biodiversity, ultimately they will begin to stop these practices.” Stressing on the role of village authorities in imparting education in this regard, he said “using force will only drive them to hunt secretly.”
These CCAs which are akin to a community-managed network of protected areas, however, seem to suffer from a lack of recognition and support by the government at state and national levels and face several challenges in their creation, effectiveness and sustainability and in developing biodiversity-based livelihoods.
With many of the CCAs involved in protecting threatened species such as the Hornbill, hoolock gibbons, clouded leopards, Chinese pangolins as well as the Blyth’s tragopan, the participants shared concerns that more efforts should be made to increase participation and strengthen decision making processes with regard to conservation efforts.
To this end, Ivan Zhimomi of the Tizu Valley Network viewed that the government should initiate policies that will not only regulate how CCAs function but also bring out clear guidelines and funding systems for the CCAs. He also informed that The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) which acts as a consultant for the TVBCLN had submitted a draft policy to the Forest Department in 2018, however, no action has been taken up.
