Longleng, September 8 (MExN): An awareness programme on human-animal conflict mitigation was held in Longleng on September 7 at Lempong hall. It was jointly organised by Forest Department and the Fingerprint and castle group which is sponsored by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt of India, New Delhi.
Dr.Sentitula .IFS, DFO in a press release stated that the programme was well attended by around 50 people from various apex bodies, churches, Student unions and villages from Sitap, Yaong, Hukphang, Pongching, Pongo, Mongtikong, orangkong and Bhumnyu.
Nuklu Phom, Executive Secretary, Phom Baptist Church Association (PBCA) raised the concerns of community-led conservation in Longleng. He emphasized the lack of Government funds and support of surrounding villages for community conservation. He also raised a serious health concerns over the increasing salt concentration used in the land for the removal of weeds, which leads to decrease of land productivity.
Supongnukshi, CCF (Biodiversity & Research) was the chief guest. He emphasized emphatically the need for conservation of forest and wildlife species for the future generations and indiscriminate destruction of natural resources results on deteriorating air and water quality which is a man-made problem. The villagers raised their concerns regarding Elephant movement in Namsang area he also explained the procedure for claiming the compensations due to damages borne out of Human - Elephant conflict.
Speaking on this occasion, Japheih Wrett SDO (Civil) as the guest of honor said that as all the living creatures were created by God in his image, hence killing them is against the will of God. Rajesh Kumar, IFS in his key note address emphasized the need for awareness amongst the communities for wildlife conservation as most of the forest belongs to the community. As human being kept at the highest pedestal, it is our responsibility to conserve the biodiversity.
Hongba, Fingerprint group highlighted the importance of Biodiversity Conservation as well as described the positive impacts brought about in agriculture productivity in South Africa due to Amur Falcon in Nagaland. He also highlights the problems associated with movement of Elephants and suggested low cost mitigation measures like bee-hives, chilly fencing and chilly bricks etc.
The programme was chaired by Vincent Belho, Castle Group. The invocation was pronounced by Bau-uh, pastor, Centre Church, Longleng. Lithrong Sangtam, Range Officer Longleng gave the vote of thanks.
