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Participants at the human – animal conflict mitigation awareness programme in Piphema ‘A’ village on June 30.[/caption]
Dimapur, July 1 (EMN): Department of Forest has organised an awareness campaign programme on human animal (wildlife) conflict mitigation in the council hall of Piphema Village A in Dimapur district on June 30 with participation of around 150 persons including officers from the district administration, forest department, chairmen/members of the village councils affected with human- animal conflict from Dimapur district.
The programme was sponsored by MoEF & CC, GoI, New Delhi.
K Caroline Angami, Wildlife Warden, Dimapur, in her welcome address, gave a brief background of the existing problems in the State.
L Kire, Principal Secretary of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and chief guest, recalled that during the 1970s, many birds/wild animals were sold along the National Highway under Piphema village. He lamented that there has been drastic decrease in population of wild animal due to increased human population and destruction of habitats of wild animals which has led many species to extinction and endangering good number of species.
He exhorted the village councils to adopt resolutions for banning hunting and to protect wildlife. He also appealed the villagers to join hands with the forest department for conservation and protection of forest and wildlife.
He further mentioned about the resolution passed by all the village councils of Mokokchung district for conservation of flora and fauna on the occasion of World Environment Day 2017 on June 5 at Mokokchung. He appealed to the participating village councils to replicate the same.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden, in his keynote address, stated the genesis of the human animal conflict prevalent in the State in general. He highlighted the policies of the State government and the MoEF & CC, GoI, New Delhi, for addressing the problem.
He appealed to the people for protection of forest and wildlife and contact forest officials immediately in case of damage of their crop/ properties/ human life. He also made power presentation on the status of community reserves in the State.
Power point presentation on different aspects of human-animal conflict were presented by Meyipokyim, APCCF (Territorial); Beizo Suokhrie, DFO, Longleng; and Obed Sumi, ACF, Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar.
Ms Vikhweno Merhatsu, ADC, Medziphema, underlined the urgency to conserve forest and wildlife. She has appreciated the efforts of the forest department to create awareness among people by organising series of campaigns in different parts of the State. She further appealed the villagers to prepare conservation projects.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Kenei Miachieo, CF (STC), Kohima, and Dr. N Senthil Kumar, Conservator of Forests (RPU), Dimapur, proposed the vote of thanks.
