Wildlife protection, conservation burning need of the hour — Rio

DIMAPUR — Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday said that wildlife protection and conservation has become the burning need of the hour, and the duty of every individual.

In a message on the eve of National Wildlife Week, the chief minister said that “it is the duty of every one of us to do whatever we can to support wildlife conservation initiatives, to reduce our own carbon footprints that will help in reducing global warming and climate change.”

The National Wildlife Week is observed all over the country in the first week of October every year, to create awareness about the urgency and importance of wildlife conservation. 

Rio said that in the good old days, wildlife was seen as one of the food items, and a delicacy too. Even the most advanced West considered it as a sport, to be killed for pleasure and displayed as trophies, he said.

However, there has been increasing realisation of the importance of wildlife for ecological balance, for our food production, and for our very survival and existence on earth, the chief minister said.

“The hard fact may be put this way: wildlife can exist and thrive without human beings, but the entire existence of human beings will be put in an extremely precarious situation without wildlife,” Rio said.

Therefore, wildlife protection and conservation have become the burning need of the hour, and the duty of every one of us, he added.

He went on to say that Nagaland is endowed with a rich wildlife and biodiversity. But sadly, Nagas, without realising their true value, have destroyed a large part of this natural wealth.

“Thankfully, there has been an increasing realisation and awakening amongst the Nagas too, about the importance of wildlife, and the need to protect and conserve them; and things are taking a new turn for good,” he said.

The chief minister cited some of the noteworthy initiatives including the establishment of community reserves, the banning of hunting by village authorities within their respective jurisdiction, and successful awareness and motivational drives undertaken by NGOs and activists on wildlife conservation.

“Our success story in protecting the migratory Amur falcons is well known to the whole world now,” he affirmed. 

“The Wildlife Week is an opportunity for us to reflect on our responsibilities towards our planet and all its inhabitants, including ourselves and the future generations.

“During this National Wildlife Week, let us pledge to work towards a future where all creatures can live and thrive together in harmonious co-existence,” Rio said.

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