Officials along with the participants during the Wildlife Week celebration held at Intanki National Park in Peren on October 5.
Peren, October 5 (MExN): Intanki National Park observed Wildlife Week Celebration 2026 at Range-A Camp, Peren, on October 5 with a focus on wildlife conservation and habitat protection.
The celebration was held under the theme “Connecting Habitat, Thriving Wildlife” and aimed at creating awareness about wildlife conservation and highlighting the importance of protecting and maintaining healthy habitats for the survival of wildlife.
As part of the celebration, a nature walk was organised from 8 am to 10:30 am for community leaders, youth, students and teachers of Government High School, Beisumpuikam, and Haisaungbe High School, representing fringe villages of Intanki National Park.
The activity provided participants an opportunity to experience the natural environment and develop a greater appreciation for wildlife and habitat conservation.
The formal programme commenced at 11 am, with Samom Khelen Singh, IFS, Director, Intanki National Park, attending as the special guest. Neithsote Kapfo, Deputy Ranger, Intanki Range-B, chaired the programme.
The programme began with an invocation by Hanggam Disuang, Pastor, Beisumpuikam Baptist Church, followed by a welcome address by Lungbay Rozoing, Deputy Ranger and Officer-in-Charge, Range-B.
A PowerPoint presentation on conservation challenges and forest and wildlife laws was delivered by Ilamwangbe Zeme, ACF and Officer-in-Charge, Range-A.
The presentation sensitised participants on relevant provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, including sections relating to wildlife protection, offences and penalties, and responsibilities involved in preventing wildlife offences.
Tadibe, Council Chairman, Beisumpuikam Village, in a speech highlighted the importance of community participation in wildlife conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said awareness programmes can strengthen people's understanding of the importance of wildlife and their habitats, while nature walks provide an opportunity to experience and appreciate nature directly.
He also stressed that activities such as speech competitions encourage students to learn, reflect and express their understanding of wildlife conservation, thereby fostering conservation awareness among the younger generation.
Singh emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation between the Forest Department, schools and local communities in protecting wildlife and conserving their habitats.
He said the theme “Connecting Habitat, Thriving Wildlife” reflected the close relationship between healthy habitats and the long-term survival of wildlife.
A speech competition was also organised as part of the celebration, providing participants an opportunity to express their views and enhance their awareness of wildlife conservation.
The first, second and third prize winners were awarded cash prizes along with certificates of merit in recognition of their performance.
The programme concluded with prize distribution and felicitation, followed by a vote of thanks by Rokovotso Meyase, FR-II, Intanki National Park, Range-B.
The celebration provided a platform for environmental education, wildlife awareness, legal sensitisation and community participation, with the participation of students and teachers from fringe villages, along with the nature walk and speech competition.
The event also reaffirmed the shared responsibility of the Forest Department, local communities, schools and the younger generation in protecting wildlife and conserving the natural habitats of Intanki National Park.
