Green-SONS & WLW Dimapur conduct workshop

Members of Green SONS, WLW and others at the one-day workshop on “Community reserve forests for protection and conservation of wildlife” held on August 22 at Sanis Town, RD Block Ghar. (Photo Courtesy:  Green SONS)

Wokha, August 29 (MExN): The Green Succession of Nagaland State (Green SONS) and the Wild Life Wing (WLW) Dimapur Division, Government of Nagaland jointly organized a one-day workshop on “Community reserve forests for protection and conservation of wildlife,” with special reference to Human-Elephant conflicts and Mitigation process on August 22 at Sanis Town, RD Block Ghar. The workshop was held under the theme " Peaceful coexistence with the wild," with Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor of Horticulture, Boarder Affairs and Chairman, DPDB, Wokha Government of Nagaland. 

A press release issued by the media cell Green SONS stated that the programme started with an invocation prayer by Pastor Hajung Baptist Church E. Khodao Mozhui  ,followed by a welcome address by Jess T Murry, chairman Green-SONS. The keynote address was pronounced by Tokaho Kinimi (IFS) wildlife Warden Dimapur Division. In his address, he lamented that despite Wokha District having 80% forest cover and rich in biodiversity much of the land cannot be put into proper utilization as there are frequent reports of human-elephant conflicts. Kinimi elaborated that the village community’s cooperation toward the department in establishing Community Reserve Forest by signing MOU with the department for five years could, not only help the village communities income generating source but would help the concern department immensely to protect and conserve the forest wealth. He also emphasized on advance warning to avert human-elephant conflicts and stated that a proposal is already send to the Central ministry to implement satellite tag collaring of elephant which shall soon come into an action oriented. 

 Steve Odyuo, Chairman, Natural Nagas gave a research based presentation particularly in Wokha District. He made an illustration about two third elephant population of Nagaland habitation in Wokha District and the reason for the wide spread of the elephants for which he has made a documentary movie "Roam Free". He also shared his experiences in conserving Amur Falcons in Doyang reservior. Steve also pointed out that the supposed extinction of Black Soft Shelled Turtle in 2000 was traced/ rediscovered and rescued from Akuk village in Wokha Dististrict.

 Short speeches  were delivered by, DFO, Wokha,  Zuthunglo Ezung(IFS), Chonbenthung Ezung, Civil SDO, Wokha, Dr Thungben Yanthan Chief Veterinary Officer, Wokha and Remphamo Kikon, Joint  Director of Agriculture. In their speech they all emphasized on the need to institute community reserve forests and the possible upliftment of the village community's income generation by converging ecotourism and other livelihood programs and thus urging the participants to note it seriously and act on it without much delay.

In the later part of the programme, the special guest, Mhathung Yanthan, MLA 39A/C Sanis and Advisor of horticulture, Border Affairs and Chairman, DPDB, Wokha called upon the people to take a serious step in conservation of our biodiversity and to create healthy environment for all.He assured the village Communities to render all possible positive steps towards a healthy development. He stated that by instituting community reserve forests not help conserve the biodiversity but also has an immense positive environmental impact right from controlling of soil erosion and reclamation of soil, retention of underground water and water circulation, purification of air which are the basic necessities to healthy life. He also emphasized on ecotourism which is one of the highest incoming generating source which could elevate the standard of living for the rural people exponentially. He later acknowledged the organizers for conducting the workshop at a right moment which indeed is the need of the hour.  The programme was summed up with a vote of thanks by Z James Kikon, vice chairman Green-SONS, added the release.