The Nagaland Forest Department is news for detaining a person under the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, over sharing Great Barbet in a cage on social media.
It's that time of year when millions of Amur falcons flock to Nagaland, particularly to sites like the Doyang Reservoir and Ntu village. More than a decade ago, the state gained notoriety for the mass hunting of these small raptors, as locals trapped thousands for consumption and commercial sale. What had long been considered a normal way of life and a source of livelihood suddenly drew global condemnation. It initially invited brickbats, followed by immense praise. The tables turned when the community chose to take criticism positively, rather than defending their age-old hunting practices against international outcry. Within a year, the hunting grounds transformed into safe havens for Amur falcons, and the hunters became conservationists, earning Nagaland the title "Falcon Capital of the World." The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) even published a children's book titled 'So Long, Amur Falcon', written by Prabha Nair, to educate and inspire children about biodiversity preservation. This dramatic shift from a killing ground to a safe roosting region was made possible by community-led conservation campaigns involving ordinary citizens, former hunters, NGOs, and the state government, creating an inspirational story that will resonate for generations.
In India, the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act prohibits the hunting of protected wild animals listed in various schedules, with offenders facing up to seven years' imprisonment and a fine. Despite this, people continue to face legal trouble under this law. In Nagaland, many have been arrested for displaying protected animals on social media. A recent example is the detention of an individual from Porba village for sharing a video of a Great Barbet in a cage and photos with animals. This incident sparked a conflict between the Nagaland Forest Department and civil society organisations, underscoring the need to find a balance when traditional practices, such as hunting, clash with modern conservation laws in tribal areas.
It's important to recognise that hunting is not unique to any single society; it was practised by all communities at some point. However, the dwindling wildlife population due to indiscriminate hunting with guns and modern high-powered airguns necessitated protective measures. It is high time for Northeast India, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, to implement robust conservation measures to protect its flora and fauna. That said, authorities must exercise moderation during this transition in tribal areas, including issuing stern warnings to first-time offenders rather than immediate penalties. Laws should not be exploited to harass or extort innocent people. The allegation in the Porba wildlife case, where forest officials reportedly demanded INR 1 lakh from the detained villager, should be thoroughly investigated, and if true, appropriate action must be taken. The department concerned should also conduct extensive awareness campaigns about the legal framework for wild animal conservation, especially in remote areas and in local languages. This should include making a complete list of protected plant and animal species endemic to Nagaland widely accessible. Change begins with awareness.