EMN
Dimapur, January 30
A meeting of government and civil organizations in Kohima was held on January 29 in the DC’s conference hall in Kohima town to deliberate on matter relating to wildfires in Japfu and Dzukuo valley. The meeting was attended by officials of the district administration, various other departments, nongovernmental organizations, and youth and student bodies. The meeting was presided over by deputy commissioner of Kohima district Ruovilatuo Mor. Highlighting on the issue, members of the souther Angami organizations said that most of the hunting occurs in the months of January and February and most of the culprits are those who come for picnics and hiking in the area.
The deputy commissioner suggested that during such times there should be entry not only for Dzukuo valley but also for places such as Viswema village, Khuzama village, Jakhama village, Kigwema village, Phesama village to control. Representatives from the Defense gave a presentation of some photographs of wild fire and jungle burning of Japfu and Dzukuo during the months of January and February 2014 and highlighted that awareness should be given to the villages to prevent wild fire.
Also officials from the Home Guards also suggested that wildfire prevention program be carried out by the government during which all the nongovernmental organizations, student bodies, village councils and even church organizations can be involved in the campaign. Also, as part of measures, various guidelines and signboards can be put by in the areas.
The civil sub-divisional officer of Kohima, Samuel Paul, called for funding programs for prevention of wild fire and voluntary works by student bodies. He said that volunteers be provided badge tags or caps and also ‘trained in guidelines.’ The district forest department was given the responsibility of organizing workshops and seminars in the area.
