Forest department observes Wildlife Week

DIMAPUR — The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on Tuesday celebrated Wildlife Week 2024 at the conference hall of Forest Office Complex in Forest Colony, Dimapur, on the theme “Wildlife conservative through co-existence.”

Speaking on the occasion, the minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Village Guards, CL John, who was also the special guest of the event, stated that Wildlife Week is celebrated every year in the first week of October with an aim to reflect upon the rich natural heritage of the nation and to create awareness towards conserving wildlife.

According to him, conservation is not just about protecting animals and plants in isolation from human development but about creating a world where both humans with their needs and wildlife coexist together.

He opined that it is high time for the village leaders and NGOs to sign an agreement to ban hunting in order to preserved wildlife. He has attributed the frequent conflicts between human and animals due to shrinking of forest area in the name of development.

As most of the land in Nagaland belonged to individuals, he mentioned that establishing community reserves (CR) is playing a vital role in conserving wildlife. In this regard, he informed that there are about 200 community reserves in Nagaland.

John stated that Nagaland is privileged to be living in one of the most ecologically rich and diverse regions of world. He, however, stated that the growth in population, increasing development needs and climate change have become more and more challenging in order to keep balance between humans and wildlife.

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For effective implementation of ban on hunting in Nagaland, the minister has suggested introducing wildlife conservation in school syllabus.

Delivering keynote address, the chief wildlife warden, Vedpal Singh, said that they are gathered to be the voice of wildlife and to spread the awareness on wildlife conservative.

He mentioned that during 1900s there were more than 1 lakh tigers in India but was reduced to 1800 during the 1970s.

He appealed to the gathering to think seriously about wildlife conservation and do whatever is possible to protect wildlife. He also informed that the Wildlife Week 2024 would conclude on October 8.

At the event, winners of the state-level easy writing and drawing competitions were awarded. The Jotsoma Community Reserve and Hukphang Community Reserved were also felicitated for their contributions in preserving wildlife and environment.

Short speeches were also delivered by project leader of WCS, Bano Haralu, and the deputy commissioner of police, Niuland, Kilangyanger Walling.