Dimapur, October 15 (MExN): One day sensitization programme on wildlife crime was Jointly organized by the Nagaland Forest Department and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Sub-Regional Office Guwahati on October 14 in the Conference hall of Forest Office Complex, Dimapur with participation of 70 officers which includes Judicial Magistrates, Judges, Public Prosecutors, Police Officers, and Forest Officials.
L Kire, Principal Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Department of Environment, and Forest & Climate Change was the chief guest. He highlighted the importance of Wildlife and Forest for ecological, water and food security and emphasised the need of creating awareness for wildlife conservation at grass-root level with the involvement of all stakeholders.
I Panger Jamir, Chairman of the programme and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Nagaland quoted from the Bible that Man was created later for protection and conservation of wildlife/nature as its custodian.
Agni Mitra Regional Deputy Director, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Government of India, Eastern Region, Kolkata made a power point presentation highlighting the genesis and modus operandi of wildlife crimes in the North-Eastern Region in general and Nagaland in particular.
The sensitization programme began with Dr KK Sharma Additional Director, WCCB, Sub-Regional Office, Guwahati who made a Power Point Presentation on various provisions and sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Agni Mitra highlighted the various judgements delivered by Supreme Court, High Courts, and Session Courts in different parts of the country. There had been excellent interaction among participants and questions raised by Judicial Magistrates and Public Prosecutors were replied by WCCB/Nagaland Forest Department Officials.
The chief guest of the valedictory session, Imtienla Ao, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Dept of Environment Forest & Climate Change in her speech stated how cultural tradition of hunting wild animals, Art. 371 A has been a hindrance for the effective control of wildlife crimes. She also stated that under Wildlife Wing, a post of DCF is being created in cadre review to look after wildlife crime matter and that wildlife Range, Wokha would be created soon.
The following recommendations of the programme were presented by YM Jami CF, NTC Mokokchung and Director Intanki National Park:
1. To create more awareness among the people about the importance of wildlife and implications of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 for its effectiveness.
2. To coordinate with other Enforcement Dept/Agencies Police, Judiciary to curb wildlife crime.
3. In order to assist the Wildlife Crime Control in detecting Wildlife Offences, local informers may be engaged.
4. A full-fledged DCF may be posted to effectively control Wildlife Crimes.
5. The Department should organise more awareness program in collaboration with Nagaland Legal Service Authority.
