Dimapur, March 15 (MExN): A meeting cum awareness programme for conservation of wildlife was held at Tsiepama Village Council Hall on March 15.
Around 50 participants including officials of the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department, chairman and members of Tsiepama Village Council, GBs, chairman and members of the Tsiepama Community Reserve management Committee etc. attended the programme.
According to a press release, the meeting also discussed on how to implement Tsiepama Community Reserve Project sanctioned in 2017-18 by the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, PCCF (wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland spoke on the concept of Community Reserve. He said that in Nagaland, existing Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) can be easily notified into Community Reserves through making resolution by the village councils, for possible funding by the Ministry of Environment Forests & Climate Change, Government of India.
Medovisie, Village Council Chairman, appreciated the efforts of the forest department and assured to extend their full cooperation for protection and conservation of forest and wildlife. He also sought clarification from the forest department on the tangible and intangible benefits of Community Reserves which was explained by Caroline Angami, Wildlife Warden, Dimapur.
Khrehie Angami, Chairman Tsiepama Community Reserve Management Committee assured that the whole village was with the Forest Department for wildlife conservation and protection of forest and wildlife. He also assured that wildlife crime will not be allowed under Tsiepama village jurisdictions.
The seriousness and implications of wildlife crime was explained in detail by the Forest department officials. A copy of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 was handed over to the village council for updating their knowledge on wildlife crime.
