Governor calls for adopting eco friendly practices in all spheres of life
Kohima, June 6 (MExN): To commemorate the World Environment Day 2016, a tree plantation programme was organised at the Raj Bhavan, Kohima on June 6.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor of Nagaland & Assam, PB Acharya stressed on the need to adopt eco friendly practices in all spheres of life and taking special protection and care of birds and animals. The Governor also asserted that disturbing environment and nature is inviting trouble and natural calamities like floods, change of season, change of river course, erosion, damage to soil, change of climate, etc, a press release from Stephen Ngullie, PRO to the Governor said.
Acharya further pointed out that booming illegal trade in wildlife products is “eroding Earth’s precious biodiversity, robbing us of our natural heritage and driving whole species to the brink of extinction.” The killing and smuggling, he said, is also undermining economies and ecosystems, fuelling organized crime, and feeding corruption and insecurity across the globe.
He stated that huge efforts to counter the illicit wildlife trade have scored some great successes; however, many species remain at risk and it will take a dedicated and sustained effort by each and every one to turn the tide.
In the context of Nagaland, the Governor said that due to the traditional practices of hunting and jungle burning, the rich and acclaimed floral and faunal diversity of the state is subjected to great risk. “However, the community conservation initiative pioneered by the Naga communities and amply supported by the Government establishments is proving to be a lasting solution for the complex problem of this magnitude,” Acharya said.
He informed that a recent study instituted by the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of Nagaland has shown that over 400 communities/villages (Community Conservation Areas) in Nagaland are conserving their forests and natural resources that actually accounts for over one third of the forest cover in the state.
The Governor further acknowledged that because of the perseverance of the community and the Government in conserving the gregariously roosting migratory raptors at multiple locations across the state, Nagaland has been proclaimed as the “Amur Falcon Capital of the World”. The mass conservation movement, he said, has helped in changing the very perception about the Naga society and has also opened a window of opportunity to the local communities in terms of livelihood (Eco-tourism).
With initiatives like “Animal Adoption Scheme” and upgraded facilities for rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, the Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar is emerging as a significant ex-situ conservation initiative of the state government, also serving the purpose of recreation and awareness generation, he added.
