Dimapur, June 25 (EMN): Human-animal conflict mitigation awareness and interaction with public was conducted by Kiphire Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on June 22, at Community Hall and Recreation Centre of Fakim village, Kiphire District.
Suman W M Sivachar IFS, wildlife warden of Kiphire, in his address informed participants on the importance of coexistence with wildlife. The reduction of forests and reduction of food in the habitats of the wildlife are few of the reasons for the wildlife to venture into the human habitation, he said.
He highlighted the policies of the State Government and the MoEFCC in addressing the problem and also spoke about the benefits of conservation.
The warden also informed that black bear, blyths tragopan, Khaleej pheasant, spotted linsang, wild dogs, braking deers have been captured by camera traps in the area. Mentioning that rare butterflies like Bhutan Glory are also found in the area, he said these rare and beautiful fauna found in the area may be lost forever if not the inspiring efforts of the local villages like Fakim continued.
The chief guest, SDO (Civil) Pungro Sub-division , Samuel Thyug, in his address stressed on the importance of conservation. He cited an example of extinct bird Dodo that was once endemic to Mauritius Islands. He also mentioned as to how hunting destroyed and wiped out an entire species from the face of this earth. Further, He urged the participants to continue conserving the flora and fauna considering that Fakim has been one of the forefront villages in Nagaland in conservation efforts thus far.
The guest of honour, Rajesh Kumar IFS, DFO Kiphire appreciated the conservation and support of locals that had led to the discovery of new species by scientists in Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary area – Molineria Fakimense (named after Fakim village) and Penkimia Nagalandenesis (named after Penkim village).
The VCC of Fakim- Hanruthong requested for greater coordination between the department and the villagers for the benefit of conservation.
Tsuseki, member of the Bhutan Glory Eco-Club of Fakim administered the green pledge as part of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan and Harit Bharat program. The participants vowed to practice total sanitation and cleanliness.
The program was marked by distribution of animal colouring books, notebooks, crayons and other stationery to all the kids of the village. Around 90 persons including officers from Administration, Police and allied departments, women and children attended the program.
