Dimapur, May 6 (MExN): Nagaland might still be the shelter some of the rare and endangered specie of cats, according to some of the top forest officials in the state.
The appearance of the leopard on the Dimapur-Kohima National Highway on May 5, according to Amenba DFO Kohima, is a good sign that the endangered specie still exists in the state. However, he apprehended that the rare sighting of the cat could be cue to loss of habitat due to deforestation and human settlement in the state. He said that loss of habitat leads to scarcity of food which might compel the wild cats to attack domestic animals and even humans. He could not say whether the cat might have come from far or near area, however, he clearly implied that the cat was most probably not a man eater.
Another official, Wildlife Warden Dimapur, Hocto Sema, said that it is a wrong impression that the wild animals like tigers and leopards are completely extinct from the state. He said that the some tigers are still roaming the forest of Ntangki National Forest areas, though he could not say how many. He also lamented that the Wildlife scenario in Nagaland is in a very ‘bad shape’, with the NSCN cadres dwelling in the park hampering the works of the state wildlife and forest department and making them non functional. However, he expressed his optimism that the loss of wild life which is the ‘God given forests’ can be replenished with the active participation of the people and that loss be restored.
On the particular leopard which, unfortunately while being taken to the Veterinary Hospital in Dimapur, Hocto Sema said that the injury on the front paws which were infested with maggots might have been caused by traps set up by hunters. Both the officials called for educating the people with regards to conserving wildlife in the state.
On being asked about the threat to wildlife, given the fact that Nagas are very fond of hunting, Hocto said that the Village Councils of different villages in the state can be the best tool or instrument in conserving the endangered wildlife. He expressed his optimism that many Naga villages are now taking to conserving wildlife in their respective village areas.
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