Nagaland pledges support to conserve and protect wildlife

Students take part in the plantation drive conducted as part of the Wildlife Week wo19 in Longleng district. 

Kohima, October 6 (MExN): Wildlife Week is celebrated all over the country from October 2 to 8 every year with the view to preserve the fauna of India. Wildlife Week is celebrated with the objective to make people more aware of the importance of conservation and protection of wildlife.

Observing the ongoing  week, forest divisions, NGOs, national park and others in Nagaland conducted seminar, literary competitions etc.

Kohima: Wildlife Week was organized by Kohima Forest Division, Department of Environment Forest & Climate Change on October 3. 

DFO Kohima, Rongsenlemla Imchen highlighted on the importance of the role of students on wild life conservation and thanked the school students for their active participation.

As per DIPR report, special Invitee, Subongnukshi Ao, CCF encouraged the students to know their responsibilities with regard to wildlife and environmental conservation so as to become important agents of change for the future. He also highlighted how wild life affects the food chain and ecosystem. A power point presentation was presented by Support staff of DMU Kohima. The highlights of the program were Quiz competition and Slogan competition.

FGAN: The Forestry Graduates Association of Nagaland (FGAN) in observance of the Wildlife Week 2019 organized a 'Nature Walk Cum Bird Watching' at Dzüleke Village, Nature trail under Kohima District along with selected students from Chandmari Government High School, Kohima, on October 2.

The significance of celebrating it was briefed to the students by Razouselhou Keditsu, President of the FGAN which was followed by the importance of protection and conservation by T Yanshen Ezung, member of the FGAN. The 'Nature Walk Cum Bird Watching' was initiated by Ketholetuo Solo, Advisor of the FGAN along with the help of a local guide from Dzüleke Village.

The Department of Forest, Environment & Climate Change of Nagaland provided the Association with a bus for transportation and also met other necessities.

Wokha: Wokha Forest Division observed Wildlife Week at Government Higher Secondary School Wokha. A painting competition on the theme ‘Wildlife week and Swachh Bharat in commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’ was held followed by a programme.

Abeno Ovung, Planning & Livelihood expert NFMP delivered a short speech on Swachh Bharat and discouraged the use of single-use plastics and the role of students.

Vivika Sema, FR, ADMU Head, NFMP Wokha stressed on the importance of observing Wildlife Week to conserve and preserve wildlife and at the same time to extend the Swachh Bharat mission to protected/reserved/community forests and wildlife areas.

Wokha Forest Division also presented waste bins and brooms to the GHSS on the occasion. Zubenthung Yanthan, Capacity Building, IEC & Documentation Expert, NFMP chaired the programme. The winners of painting competition were Nzabneni Lotha, Sochumben P Ngullie and Yanbothung Ovung.

Longleng: With the purpose to bring attention towards wildlife conservation among the students, the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change organized wildlife awareness programme on October 3 and 4 at St. Joseph High School, Longleng.

Literary activities such as drawing, quiz and essay writing were also organized by the Department. The welcome address was delivered by the Principal of the High School, Father Abharam. Beizo Suokhrie, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Longleng, spoke on the importance of preserving our declining forest and wildlife in the state. He emphasized on how the younger generation had the potential to improve our age old system of traditional hunting and work towards living in harmony with nature.

In commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Forest Department with the participation of various local schools observed ‘Swatchta hi seva’, by carrying out plastic eradication drive cum plantation of saplings at Shetap village as well as Longleng Forest Colony on October 1 and 4.  

Intanki National Park: As part of the wildlife week celebrations 2019 observed from October 2 to 8, office of the Director Intanki National Park organised a one day workshop in the Conference Hall of the Forest Office Complex, Dimapur on the topic ‘introduction to wildlife census’ for the field staff of Intanki Armed Protection Force. 

A press release stated here that the inaugural function was chaired by Director, Intanki National Park, Temjenyabang, IFS. Keynote address was delivered by Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland, Vedpal Singh. 

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Nagaland Rajat Subhra Pal, IFS who was the special guest highlighted that the foresters in the modern era are expected to play a more diverse role and not just that of protecting forests and wildlife as wildlife issues have taken centre stage in public consciousness. He stated that taking stock of species diversity of an area is the first step to having a sound management strategy and encouraged field officers to keep abreast with the latest techniques and technologies. He opined that human animal conflict was one of the most pertinent issue facing the state and that a solution must be arrived at balancing both developmental imperatives and conservation principles.

Altogether three technical sessions on GPS handling and techniques, Elephant and Tiger Census were conducted with Swedehol Kikhi, Kenlum, Range Officer and Aron Yimchunger, Range Officer as resource persons during the one day workshop.