Phek, May 18 (MExN): A seminar cum workshop was organised by the Nagaland Forest Department at Luzapuhu Community Reserve for nature conservation for community and schools of the locality with participation of around 100 persons - officers from the Forest Department, Chairman, members, GB, Head GBs of Luzapuhu Village Council and students of Luzapuhu Government High School.
The programme was sponsored under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Community Reserve of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi.
The Village Development Board Secretary, Luzupuhu gave a brief account of the community reserve. He stated that the present community reserve jhum cultivated land since 1982. Under the direction of the village authority and to address the issue of water scarcity, the jhum cultivation was amended and conservation started. He highlighted the benefits of conservation namely – more rainfall, more wild animals, control of soil erosion and adequate availability of drinking water. He also informed that the village was awarded by Nehru Uva Kendra, Kohima.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland, in his keynote address, stated the genesis of the human animal conflict prevalent in the State in general. He highlighted the policies of the State Government and the MoEF & CC, GoI, New Delhi for addressing the problem. He highlighted the importance of Forest & Wildlife, scenario of forest and wildlife in Nagaland, concept of Community Reserves. He appealed to the people for protection of forest and wildlife, come forward for declaring their forest to the community reserve.
Suman W M Sivachar, Wildlife Warden, Kiphire Wildlife Division spoke about in brief about the structure of the Wildlife and Territorial Divisions in the Forest Department. He also conducted a quiz on wild animals for the students present at the event and highlighted important and interesting facts about the behaviour of various wild animals, which caught the interest of both children and elders alike. Bookmarks with different wild animals were given to the students to pique their interest in wild animals and conservation.
The programme was chaired by Velatso Demo IFS, DFO, Phek, who also spoke on Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and handed over a copy of the act to the village council. He translated our discussion in local dialect for better understanding of the people. He appealed to the people for protection of wildlife and contact the department for compensation against damage of crops/property and human injury by wild animals.
There has been interaction between the community and officials. The question raised by villagers were clarified and responded by the department officials. Vote of thanks was proposed by Enyiwekha, ACF, Phek.
