Wildlife conservation still a challenge in Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 17 (EMN): Wildlife conservation continues to be a challenging issue in Nagaland despite increasing awareness, especially among the younger generation, thanks to various campaigns in recent years. 

Notwithstanding the awareness campaigns and education programmes covering wildlife conservation, carcasses of wild animals and birds being sold along the highways and even in city markets are not uncommon sights.

Sometimes, even live animals and birds are sold openly.

Occasionally, there are also people who come to the market areas to sell banned animals in Kohima town.

On September 16, a woman was selling a young monkey inside a cage for INR 10,000 at the southern gate of Khuochiezie, below DC office in Kohima.

The wildlife warden of Dimapur, H Tokaho Kinimi, told Eastern Mirror on Thursday that it is illegal to sell monkeys, as is the case with any wildlife species.

 He expressed shock that monkeys are being sold in the open market. “I have never come across people selling monkey,” he said.

Kinimi, who is also in-charge of six districts including Kohima, cautioned that those caught selling any kind of wild animals would be booked under the relevant provisions of the Wild Life Protection Act.

He requested the citizens to inform the authorities concerned if they come across such activities.