• Five most endangered species including State’s Bird Blyth’s Tragopan proposed to be taken up in phase
• State Wildlife Advisory Board meeting deliberates on Community Conservation Areas
Kohima, June 27 (MExN): The Nagaland government is mulling to take up the ‘Recovery Programme’ for wildlife and five most endangered species - Hoolock gibbon, Clouded leopard, Malayan Sun Bear, Blyth’s Tragopan and Black Soft-shell Turtles - were proposed to be taken up in the first phase.
The proposal form an agenda of the first meeting of the State Wildlife Advisory Board held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat office on June 26, under the chairmanship of CM Neiphiu Rio, an official release informed today.
Chairing the meeting, Rio stressed the need for conservation of wildlife and the environment for the survival of mankind, and the importance of the Board, stated the release issued by Dr. Ramesh K. Aima IFS, PCCF and CWLW Nagaland.
Giving a brief background of the species, Member Secretary Dr Aima put up before the board why they need to immediate attention, it said, adding, the agenda was thoroughly discussed by the members and it was agreed upon to take up the Recovery Programme.
During the discussion, Bano Haralu, Nagaland Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation Trust also stressed on the need of Mithun conservation while as S Odyuo of Natural Nagas highlighted the need for conservation of Black Soft-shell Turtles, the release said.
Toshi Wungtung, Member Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Advisor to the government also advised to add more species to the programme, it added.
The chairman, thereafter, suggested the department to take up more species after proper study.
The agenda for notification of all the Community Conservation Areas as Community Reserves in accordance with The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in a phased manner were deliberated upon at the meeting, it said.
“All the queries of the members regarding the Community Reserves were satisfactorily replied by the department followed by the approval by the members,” it added.
The attention of the Chief Minister also was drawn to the Amur Falcon Week celebrations during the roosting period of the birds in the State which led to the disturbance of the roosting sites, the release further informed.
In this regard, he advised to find the best time for the celebration week in such a way that there is least disturbance to birds, and also gives ample time for conducting awareness programmes to sensitize the youth and others about the programme, it added.
The meeting, among others, was also attended by Dr. Nicky, T. Amenba Yaden, Dr. Suresh Kumar, Senior Scientist Wildlife Institute of India, Dr. Divanshu Scientist from ZSI (Zoological Survey of India), Dr. N Odyuo, Senior Scientist BSI (Botanical Survey of India), Government of India, NGOs working in the field of environment and wildlife, conservationist, ecologists, and environmentalists and senior government, officials, to advise the State Government on various wildlife issues.
