Love Me, Don’t eat me: Exotic deer meat (head!) for sale as a Naga boy looks for buyers. (Sorei Mahong)
As the world moves towards wildlife conservation with attempts to protect endangered plant and animal species, along with their habitats, in Nagaland the focus on development programmes of the government along with a destructive mindset of the hunter in us and not to forget the meat centric food consumption, is having a ‘not so friendly’ approach towards the environment around us—the forests, wild life and other natural resources.
During the recent YI (Nagaland chapter) photo competition (on environment), a very disturbing photo carried in the Morung Express was of a dead hornbill on sale right on the National Highway 29. The Hornbill is synonymous with Naga identity, and yet it is not spared in our thirst for anything exotic. The Hornbill now comes under the critically endangered category of wildlife. The photographer, Thejakelie Zuyie, speaking to the Morung Express said that the picture was taken last year at Piphema, during the Hornbill festival season.
Apparently the proud hunter was advertising his kill to bemused tourists, said Zuyie. “I had no choice but to buy the hornbill, it was the only way to stop the fellow from further showing off his kill to every passing tourist. It was painful if not embarrassing, imagine it was at the heights of the Hornbill festival!”
In this age, when environment protection has become an important issue, most of Nagaland’s younger generation, have never seen a dead hornbill forget a live one. It is only in the past few years that Nagaland conservation awareness is on the rise. There are now ‘Community Conserved Areas’ set up in many villages. Perhaps Khonoma village can be considered a pioneer in wildlife conservation.
Charles Chasie, speaking to the Morung Express said that Khonoma’s conservation efforts started seriously around 1993-94 when burning of jungles and logging was started. This was soon followed by ban on hunting of birds and animals. Also removal of other minor forest products like top soil vegetables, wild fruits etc for commercial purposes were also banned. The use of chemicals for fishing was banned and those who violated these bans were fined. Adding that conservation is a part of Khonoma village and life awareness programmes were held for several years with the help of Centre for Environmental Education (CEE) and the Darwin Project supervised by a British NGO. These programmes made people realize that it is important to conserve nature.
Speaking on the same topic, Samuel Changkija IFS, DFO Peren, said that in Nagaland, things are different as land belongs to the people and hence, the need for lucrative incentives to discourage unhealthy practices. Peren was once considered a ‘supplier’ of ‘wildlife meat’ but the scene has dramatically improved today thanks to involvement of the district administration, NGOs, local bodies etc.
According to the DFO, in Peren conservation efforts include the villagers signing an MOU with the government whereby they agree not to practice Jhum cultivation. The villagers are in turn given incentives to earn their livelihood so that they are discouraged from hunting or cutting down trees. A number of villages in Mokokchung district and also the Angami and Rengma inhabited areas are strictly coming down on hunting and have effective ‘Community Conserved Areas’.
However no matter the conservation efforts or the so called ban on hunting, wildlife meat and products always turns up one way or the other in our markets and into our homes. Ramridin Kaurinta, Forest Ranger, Dimapur Wildlife Division, voicing his thoughts on this menace, said that a ‘Wildlife Crime Control Cell’ under Wildlife warden has been set up last year. This cell monitors and checks sale of wildlife meat and wildlife products. On being asked if this cell has been effective in curbing the illegal activity, the Ranger said, “the very fact that the sellers hide their wares when checking is conducted is proof enough that people are aware.
That in itself is a measure of success as it is a sign of awareness”. Whether it is the ‘thrill of the hunt or love for the meat’, Nagas include a lot of meat items (wildlife meat or otherwise) in our daily diet. It is but natural that meat products are always in high demand in Nagaland. In fact livestock is considered to be a major sector which contributes significantly in enhancing the economy of the state. There is a ready market for dairy, poultry and fish products in Nagaland. This is estimated to be in terms of crores of rupees annually.
Regarding the quality of meat that is consumed everyday, the Morung Express spoke to Dr. Tolto Metha who informed that livestock for consumption usually comes from Bihar, Assam and Manipur. Also raising his concern over the quality of meat consumed by people, Dr. Metha said that ‘the meat industry’ is one of the biggest industries and a single department by itself cannot monitor every aspect. Stressing on the need for administrative bodies and municipalities to get involved, Dr. Metha said that ‘Meat inspectors’ are not enough unless backed by the administration. There have been cases where meat inspectors get roughed up by butchers for deeming their meat ‘unfit’ for consumption. So much for ‘inspection’!
In fact, while observing the ‘World Veterinary Day’ this year, the department concentrated on meat borne diseases. The need of the hour is to create awareness for healthy and hygienic meat. Along with the consumption of meat also come innumerable health problems. The list of meat borne diseases is endless. It is common knowledge that many cancer patients in medical institutes across the country are from the north east. Reasons may be varied but diet plays a big role in contributing to health problems. Studies have shown that cooking meat at a high temperature produces carcinogen (cancer causing agents). Nagas also tend to consume a lot of smoked meat, which again is a cancer causing agent.
Apart from the worrying effects of meat on health, the meat industry is also hazardous to the environment. According to studies, the livestock industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation worldwide, and modern practices of raising animals for food contributes on a massive scale to deforestation, air and water pollution, land degradation, loss of topsoil, climate change and loss of biodiversity. The livestock sector is slowly emerging as one of the most significant contributors to serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.
During the recent YI (Nagaland chapter) photo competition (on environment), a very disturbing photo carried in the Morung Express was of a dead hornbill on sale right on the National Highway 29. The Hornbill is synonymous with Naga identity, and yet it is not spared in our thirst for anything exotic. The Hornbill now comes under the critically endangered category of wildlife. The photographer, Thejakelie Zuyie, speaking to the Morung Express said that the picture was taken last year at Piphema, during the Hornbill festival season.
Apparently the proud hunter was advertising his kill to bemused tourists, said Zuyie. “I had no choice but to buy the hornbill, it was the only way to stop the fellow from further showing off his kill to every passing tourist. It was painful if not embarrassing, imagine it was at the heights of the Hornbill festival!”
In this age, when environment protection has become an important issue, most of Nagaland’s younger generation, have never seen a dead hornbill forget a live one. It is only in the past few years that Nagaland conservation awareness is on the rise. There are now ‘Community Conserved Areas’ set up in many villages. Perhaps Khonoma village can be considered a pioneer in wildlife conservation.
Charles Chasie, speaking to the Morung Express said that Khonoma’s conservation efforts started seriously around 1993-94 when burning of jungles and logging was started. This was soon followed by ban on hunting of birds and animals. Also removal of other minor forest products like top soil vegetables, wild fruits etc for commercial purposes were also banned. The use of chemicals for fishing was banned and those who violated these bans were fined. Adding that conservation is a part of Khonoma village and life awareness programmes were held for several years with the help of Centre for Environmental Education (CEE) and the Darwin Project supervised by a British NGO. These programmes made people realize that it is important to conserve nature.
Speaking on the same topic, Samuel Changkija IFS, DFO Peren, said that in Nagaland, things are different as land belongs to the people and hence, the need for lucrative incentives to discourage unhealthy practices. Peren was once considered a ‘supplier’ of ‘wildlife meat’ but the scene has dramatically improved today thanks to involvement of the district administration, NGOs, local bodies etc.
According to the DFO, in Peren conservation efforts include the villagers signing an MOU with the government whereby they agree not to practice Jhum cultivation. The villagers are in turn given incentives to earn their livelihood so that they are discouraged from hunting or cutting down trees. A number of villages in Mokokchung district and also the Angami and Rengma inhabited areas are strictly coming down on hunting and have effective ‘Community Conserved Areas’.
However no matter the conservation efforts or the so called ban on hunting, wildlife meat and products always turns up one way or the other in our markets and into our homes. Ramridin Kaurinta, Forest Ranger, Dimapur Wildlife Division, voicing his thoughts on this menace, said that a ‘Wildlife Crime Control Cell’ under Wildlife warden has been set up last year. This cell monitors and checks sale of wildlife meat and wildlife products. On being asked if this cell has been effective in curbing the illegal activity, the Ranger said, “the very fact that the sellers hide their wares when checking is conducted is proof enough that people are aware.
That in itself is a measure of success as it is a sign of awareness”. Whether it is the ‘thrill of the hunt or love for the meat’, Nagas include a lot of meat items (wildlife meat or otherwise) in our daily diet. It is but natural that meat products are always in high demand in Nagaland. In fact livestock is considered to be a major sector which contributes significantly in enhancing the economy of the state. There is a ready market for dairy, poultry and fish products in Nagaland. This is estimated to be in terms of crores of rupees annually.
Regarding the quality of meat that is consumed everyday, the Morung Express spoke to Dr. Tolto Metha who informed that livestock for consumption usually comes from Bihar, Assam and Manipur. Also raising his concern over the quality of meat consumed by people, Dr. Metha said that ‘the meat industry’ is one of the biggest industries and a single department by itself cannot monitor every aspect. Stressing on the need for administrative bodies and municipalities to get involved, Dr. Metha said that ‘Meat inspectors’ are not enough unless backed by the administration. There have been cases where meat inspectors get roughed up by butchers for deeming their meat ‘unfit’ for consumption. So much for ‘inspection’!
In fact, while observing the ‘World Veterinary Day’ this year, the department concentrated on meat borne diseases. The need of the hour is to create awareness for healthy and hygienic meat. Along with the consumption of meat also come innumerable health problems. The list of meat borne diseases is endless. It is common knowledge that many cancer patients in medical institutes across the country are from the north east. Reasons may be varied but diet plays a big role in contributing to health problems. Studies have shown that cooking meat at a high temperature produces carcinogen (cancer causing agents). Nagas also tend to consume a lot of smoked meat, which again is a cancer causing agent.
Apart from the worrying effects of meat on health, the meat industry is also hazardous to the environment. According to studies, the livestock industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation worldwide, and modern practices of raising animals for food contributes on a massive scale to deforestation, air and water pollution, land degradation, loss of topsoil, climate change and loss of biodiversity. The livestock sector is slowly emerging as one of the most significant contributors to serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.
Importance of wildlife conservation
Beauty: Wild life provides aesthetic value to man. By their unique way of existence, wild creatures exaggerate the natural beauty of the earth.
Economic value: The financial value of wild species is important to the economies of several nations, as it provides many valuable substances like wood and other plant products, fibers, meat and other foods, and skins and furs. Many wild plants provide useful substances like timber, paper, gums etc. And they also have wide applications in Ayurveda and other branches of medicine.
Scientific value: Most important contribution of wild life for human progress is availability of large genepool for the scientists to carry breeding programmes in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery. By studying wildlife, scientists have gained valuable knowledge about various life processes and discovered important m edical products
Survival value: To maintain ecological ‘balance of nature’ and maintain food chain and nature cycles. Wildlife helps in maintaining the balanced living systems of earth, which consequently ensures survival of life.
Wild life of a country is its cultural asset
Follow the World Wildlife Fund Mission
• Protect natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including endangered species
• Promote sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources; and
• Promote more efficient use of resources and energy and the maximum reduction of pollution.
Economic value: The financial value of wild species is important to the economies of several nations, as it provides many valuable substances like wood and other plant products, fibers, meat and other foods, and skins and furs. Many wild plants provide useful substances like timber, paper, gums etc. And they also have wide applications in Ayurveda and other branches of medicine.
Scientific value: Most important contribution of wild life for human progress is availability of large genepool for the scientists to carry breeding programmes in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery. By studying wildlife, scientists have gained valuable knowledge about various life processes and discovered important m edical products
Survival value: To maintain ecological ‘balance of nature’ and maintain food chain and nature cycles. Wildlife helps in maintaining the balanced living systems of earth, which consequently ensures survival of life.
Wild life of a country is its cultural asset
Follow the World Wildlife Fund Mission
• Protect natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including endangered species
• Promote sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources; and
• Promote more efficient use of resources and energy and the maximum reduction of pollution.
