Dimapur, June 21 (EMN): A ‘awareness campaign’ concerning conflict between humans and animals was organised in Tening village of Peren district on June 19 by the Forest department.
The programme had in attendance of around 250 persons, officers from the district administration, besides those from the agriculture and allied departments, chairmen and members of village councils of villages going through ‘human-animal’ conflict in Peren district, updates from the establishment of the Chief Wildlife Warden of Dimapur informed on Wednesday.
DK Zeliang, retired PCCF & Principal Secretary for Forest, deliberated on constitutional provision of Article 371(A) in the matter of land and its resources for the people of the state. The press release stated: “They are owner/ proprietor of land and forests. The state Government of Nagaland and the Government of India can play role of facilitator. He emphasised need of declaration of Community Conservation Areas to Community Reserves and its funding on the pattern of Government owned protected areas. He briefly stated how local people hunted deer by constructing Machang.”
He appealed to the villagers to ban fishing using poison and hunting instead prepare action plan for plantation of fruit trees for wild animals so that wildlife can be protected and conserved. He stated that purchased land owned by the Government should be converted into protected areas, sanctuaries for integrated development of wildlife habitats.
Also, Holohon Yepthomi, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Tening appreciated Forest for organising the program involving communities affected with human-animal conflict. He asked the communities to think causes for an action before doing it. He emphasised need for justification of an action. He stated that the communities have more to play for conservation of forest resources. He appealed for conservation of forest and wildlife.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden of Nagaland, in his key note address, said that the genesis of the human animal conflict prevalent in the State in general and in Wokha District in particular. 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.
There were many speakers who spoke and good number of questions was raised by the public which were responded by the Chief Guest and the officials from Forest Department. There was a healthy interaction. The Chairmen/ Members made a resolution to ban fishing and hunting in their respective areas.
Nangkamak Pame sang a theme song on the Intanki National Park. This was followed with activities of Nagaland Forest Protection Force, stationed at the Intanki National Park.