Kikruma, May 21 (MExN): Nagaland Forest Department organised a seminar cum workshop, sponsored under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Community Reserve of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi at Kikruma Community Reserve for nature conservation for community and schools of the locality. Forest Department officers, village council leaders and students of St Peter School, Kikruma attended the programme.
VDB Secretary, Vezohu Tunyi highlighted that Kikruma is the largest (area wise) village of Phek district and informed that 1500 hectare area was conserved in 2000 and “there is no major irrigation project in the village so the villagers are largely dependent on rain and forests.”
The special invitee, Dr Kenei M IFS, Conservator of Forests (STC), Kohima spoke on role of community and individuals for protection of forest and wildlife in the state of Nagaland where 88.3% of forest wealth is under the control of individuals and communities where the government has a little regulatory role.
Suman W M Sivachar, Wildlife Warden, Kiphire Wildlife Division spoke as to how behaviour of wild animals is affected by their interaction with the surroundings and with human beings. The progressive thought of the village in conservation to avoid water scarcity was appreciated.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland delivered the keynote address. A short interaction cum wildlife quiz was conducted for the students to pique their interest in wildlife conservation. Bookmarks with different wild animals and interesting facts about them, were given to the students.
Velatso Demo IFS, DFO, Phek spoke about his observations of the good water management practices of the village to work with limited water resources. Further, a copy of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 was handed over to the village councils and the issues of wildlife crime were highlighted.
Interaction between the community and officials was also held where the question raised by villagers were responded by the department officials.
