Dimapur, January 23 (MExN): A workshop was organized by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board - Regional Resource Agency (RRA) under the National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) for the NGOs on January 23 at the State Environment & Forest Training Institute, Dimapur. During 2007-08, 120 organizations from Nagaland will be taking part in this programme under the theme ‘Biodiversity Conservation’.
Speaking at the occasion A. Ronsengwati Ao, IFS Chairman of the Board in his address stated that Nagaland has a very rich biodiversity and is also among the hotspot areas of the world. He stressed that conserving the biodiversity has direct linkage to the food chain. He also dwelled on his experiences across the state and lamented that in spite of being endowed with so many flora and fauna, ‘we are ignorant and have not given due importance regarding its management, and as a result in many parts of the state our forest are getting depleted and species extinct which is critically endangering our biodiversity.’ He therefore appealed the need to manage the valuable and limited resources sustainably.
The top forest officer of the State also cited certain cases where some orchids endemic to the state have been developed by outsiders and being exploited commercially. “With the advancement in the field of biotechnology the threat is even greater as we stand to lose not only the species but also its right due to the Intellectual Property Rights”, he said.
He cautioned the people to be on guard. He also stressed upon the need to educate the people to stop selling the rare and endemic species. A. Ronsengwati Ao, IFS Chairman of the Board also released a pamphlet on Biodiversity Conservation brought out by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board on this occasion.
Member Secretary Rusovil John highlighted on the importance of conserving biodiversity. He called against burning of forests, hunting of animals and birds and over exploitation of the wild plants in the forests for food and commercial purposes.
Referring to the ‘Naga Chilly’-the hottest chilly in the world (10,00,000 Scoville Heat Unit) which is named after the fierce Naga warriors, he reminded to commonly use its original name as there is a danger of losing its original identity. He encouraged the participants to spread the message of conservation to every nook and corner of the state with the message that ‘Nature has enough for every one’s need but not every one’s greed’.
The Member Secretary also touched issues relating to health and environment with particular reference to the recent outbreak of avian flu in the neighbouring region and the need to take all necessary precautions as per the guidelines issued by the Health department.
