Dimapur, Dec. 10 (EMN): Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organised wildlife crime in the country, has taken steps to sensitise famers and officials of the recent trends of wildlife crime in the stated.
Sensitization programme held at Khonoma
A wildlife crime sensitisation programme was jointly organised by the WCCB, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, and the state Forest department at Khonoma village under Kohima district on Dec. 7.
Around 80 officials from the WCCB, MoEF&CC, state Forest department, NGOs, village council members and neighbouring villages participated in the programme.
The chief guest of the programme, Tilotma Varma, additional director and country head, WCCB, MoEF &CC, Government of India, appreciated the initiatives and efforts of the Khonoma Village Council in conservation of wildlife. She expressed her happiness in observing the wildlife conservation work, done by the Khonoma village which was supposed to be done by the government.
She appealed the state Forest department to replicate the wildlife conservation work of Khonoma village in other villages as well. She also said the matter will be taken up with the Ministry and will try to extend technical and financial assistance from the Government of India in the endeavour.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and chief wildlife warden, Satya Prakash Tripathi, in his welcomed address, gave a brief background of the programme. He also highlighted the constraints faced by the Forest department in addressing the forestry and wildlife issues of the state.
Khonoma Village Council chairman, Neisamezo Pier, gave a brief background on how the village stopped hunting wild animals by imposing fine and also creating awareness among people on importance of wildlife and forests for survival. He also informed how the village became the greenest and cleanest village in the state.
He also mentioned that the village has been protecting and maintaining the Blyth Tragopan Sanctuary. Further, the chairman also shared the destruction of crops caused by wildlife in the village and requested the intervention of the Forest department in addressing the issue.
During the interaction between officials and village council members, the chief wildlife warden clarified queries raised by the participants. He also assured that the Forest department will prepare detailed project proposal for declaring Khonoma Blyth Tragopan Sanctuary as a Community Reserve by the state government and possible funding by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, New Delhi.
Inter-agency coordination meet
An inter-agency coordination meeting was jointly organized by WCCB, Government of India and Wildlife Wing of Nagaland Forest department at Forest Conference Hall, Dimapur on Dec. 6.
The meeting was chaired by Satya Prakesh Tripathi, chief wildlife warden and attended by the chief wildlife of warden, Manipur; field director, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve; and officers from Forest departments of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, along with DCP, Dimapur and other officers from the Police department, SSB, Assam Rifles, RPF, CISF, SIB, customs and scientists from ZSI and BSI.
Tilotama Varma, additional director of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Govt. of India, New Delhi, appraised the gathering about the recent trends of wildlife crime in the region. She also emphasised on the need for cooperation among all the Central and state government agencies to work towards tackling wildlife crime by dissemination of information and intelligence.
Exemplifying the scenario of wildlife crime in the state, the chief wildlife warden, Nagaland said people are now coming forward to protect the indigenous wildlife and efforts of the people. The need for creating further awareness for other species common in illegal trade was also emphasised.
Regional deputy director, WCCB, ER presented the scenario of wildlife crime in North-eastern states and initiated the discussions. Topics for discussion included important routes for smuggling in the area and imperatives for different enforcement agencies and also strategies to combat poaching and smuggling in the region.
A future road map was agreed to by all the agencies present after discussing the issues threadbare. WCCB assured the state government, Forest departments for training of Forest staff and sensitisation of other enforcement agencies.
