World Environment Day: Kire calls for conservation of forest and wildlife

KOHIMA, JUNE 5 : Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire today underscored that illegal trade in wildlife is pushing many species of animals and plants towards local and global extinction while robbing the people of their natural heritage.

Speaking at an event marking the World Environment Day (WED) at the state Botanical Garden in Kohima, the minister, referring to this year’s WED slogan ‘Go wild for Life’, made a clarion call to everyone to spread awareness about the extensive consequences of wildlife crime and the damage it does to the environment. He asserted that the loss of any species is an erosion of the biodiversity that underpins the natural systems on which we depend for food security, medicines, fresh air, water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment.
Kire pointed out that hunting was a part of the Naga traditional life and while this practice has been brought down to a great level in the recent years due to the growing concern and awareness, he lamented that it is yet to be stopped. He felt that hunting down of wildlife is still rampant due to the glaring fact that there are buyers, who are ignorant or unaware that they are encouraging the crime when they buy wildlife products. “And the problem with our people is that we don’t know when to stop…. We see one wild animal or bird, we shoot it. We see five, we try to hunt them all down,” he said.

The politician also touched upon the depleting environment that is in turn making the habitat of wildlife decline. Expressing concern that climate change has caught up with the people of Nagaland which is evident in the summers here getting hotter, he said that everyone is responsible for the present situation. “We do not realize that for every tree that we cut down, we are required to plant ten more. At the rate that we are going now, what will happen to our environment 30 years from now?” he questioned.

Kire stressed that the time has come for all to be concerned and to take action to stop the activities that are threatening the local bio-resources and the ecosystem. Nagas being greatly influenced by the community rather than the government, the minister hoped that the community can play a huge role towards this, for a better future.

Further, quoting Mahatma Gandhi that ‘the greatness of a community and its moral progress is judged by the way its animals are treated’, Kire stated that the Nagas will be deemed as a progressing community when they are able to protect their animals and environment.

Also speaking on the occasion, commissioner & secretary for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Neihu Thur said Nagaland has a rich biodiversity and as per records, almost 80 per cent of the state’s total area is under forest cover. However, he is of the view that a mass afforestation movement must be maintained with greater determination and increase the density of the existing forests.

The bureaucrat also voiced concern on the prevalence of rampant poaching and hunting of wildlife as well as illegal and indiscriminate timber logging by “our own villagers” without realizing the consequences on the loss of habitat and wildlife. He said that sooner or later, nature will respond to the callousness of the people unless all possible efforts are made to conserve the rich bio-resources. He also emphasized the need to reflect more seriously on the policy omission and commissions and stand resolute in preparing the ground to guarantee a sustainable environment for future generations.

On the state government’s decision to dedicate the WED 2016 to the girl child, he said this was a call to show genuine care and concern for the well-being of the girl child as much as for the environment.

PCCF & HOFF Nagaland, M Lokeswara Rao in his brief address, underscored the need to intensify the momentum of conservation in the state and take the movement to the villages. He acknowledged the efforts of the department and other NGOs in promoting conservation of both wildlife and the forests. He also lauded the NBCC for joining the movement and setting aside one Sunday as a ‘green Sunday’ and to propagate ‘green theology’.

A tree plantation drive in the premises of the botanical garden by the dignitaries, students, and officials and staff of the forest department was the highlight of the day. The participants also took a ‘Green Pledge’ on the occasion.

Meanwhile in a report made available to Eastern Mirror, the Wildlife Division, Dimapur observed World Environment Day on June 4 at Forest Protection Camp, Intanki National Park with the theme, “Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade” with the Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland, the Wildlife Warden, Dimapur, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Intanki National Park Staff along with the neighbouring villagers.

The Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland Satya Prakash Tripathi, IFS, stressed on the importance of protecting the environment. He briefed the gathering about how the earth’s environment is gradually degrading with unplanned developmental activities which is adversely affecting the human population. He also exhorted the gathering to be pro-active participants in the fortnight long observation of Swaach Bharat mission from June 1 to June 15.

Caroline Kaurinta, IFS, Wildlife Division, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the significance of observing World Environment Day. She urged the gathering to be a champion of environment by contributing and maintaining healthy environment in our own locality. “The environment includes plants and animals which can survive without human being but human being cannot survive without plants and animals. Therefore, Illegal Activities towards Wildlife and Forests cannot be tolerated by any sensible person. The theme of 2016 WED has been rightly captioned, for everyone should have the sense of Zero Tolerance towards the Illegal Wildlife Trade.”

To mark the WED, the programme led by the Forest Range officers with the staff carried out cleaning and planting of fruit bearing tree seedlings in and around the Forest Protection Camp, Intanki. Thousands of fruit bearing tree seedlings of different varieties were also distributed to the neighboring villagers after the programme.