People voluntarily surrendered their hunting weapons during a programme at Asukhomi village in Zunheboto on May 13.
DIMAPUR, MAY 13 (MExN): People of Asukhomi village voluntarily surrendered their guns and hunting weapons to the Asukhomi Village Council on May 13. This was done simultaneously with an event to inaugurate a resting shed at the Asukhomi Community Reserved Area.
Tokaho Kinimi, IFS, Wildlife Warden Dimapur unveiled the inauguration stone in the presence of Dr Prabhat Kumar IFS, DFO Zunheboto; Ivan Zhimomi, Team leader, TVBCLN, recipients of Governor's award and Balipara Foundation.
Dr Hutoka Y Jakha while giving a brief note on Asukhomi Community Reserve said that the idea was initiated in the year 2019.
He said that the villagers in 2021 also rescued a rare primate (slow loris) and returned it to its natural habitat. For this, Kito I Zhimomi, IRS, C&S Planning and Coordination, Tourism conveyed his appreciation to the villagers. Hornbill TV awarded the villagers from their flora and fauna fund.
Tokaho Kinimi IFS, Wildlife Warden, Dimapur appreciated the surrendering of guns and said that such gestures are setting a good example especially given the rate at which the State’s flora and fauna are being lost.
Kinimi encouraged the villagers to never lose heart and encouraged them that this initiative was not for short term benefits but long term investments. “The government might not be able to remunerate their sacrifices but this initiative will be priceless for the long run,” he said. The Wildlife Warden further called upon the volunteers, village leaders and CCA members to cooperate with one another.
Dr Prabhat Kumar lauded the villagers for their efforts in building the resting shed. He said that with the growth in human population, the jungles and wild animals are in more need of protection. He reminded the people that it is not the animals destroying human property but on the contrary it is human activity depriving animals of their habitat.
Nature has a way of getting back at us, he said and added that “if we preserve, we get pleasant atmosphere; and when we harm nature, we are punished with global warming.”
Vivika Sema, ACF, while exhorting the gathering said that the village was funded with meagre amount by the Department of Wildlife Conservation for construction of the resting shed. The same was made possible with common cooperation of the villagers and leaders. He informed that the volunteers did not even accept the wages saying this was for betterment of the village.
Earlier the program was chaired by Heroto Khujumi, Chairman, ACR. Invocation was pronounced by Benito, Pastor, Asukho Baptist Church while welcome address was proposed by Inato Khuju, Advisor, ACR. Ghukato Khuju, Head GB, Asukho Old also gave a short speech and the programme was followed by gap filling plantations.
