The survival of human beings and animals, both directly as well as indirectly, depends on forests; as their basic needs in the form of food, water, and shelter are not from forests. In addition to these tangible benefits, forests play key role in carbon sequestration, amelioration of environment and climate change. Forests address the issue of food and water security of the country. Forests, wild animals and human beings have intrinsic relationship. They affect one another.
With passage of time and increasing population, biotic pressure on forests has significantly increased. In the State of Nagaland, lion’s shares (88.3%) of forests are under the control of individuals and communities and remaining 11.7% of the forests are under the control of the Government. The Government has very limited regulatory role in management of private forest. Since time immemorial, administration and people of the State have played an important role in protection and maintenance of forests in the form of Community Conservation Areas, Wildlife Based Community Areas etc.
The existence of Wildlife is a good indicator of good forests and subsequently availability of timber, firewood, medicinal plants for human beings. The State of Nagaland had been traditionally a hunting State since time immemorial. Now, people are coming forward for protection of wildlife and they are rescuing wild animals and they are donating wild animals and birds which are kept in Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar and Tragopan Breeding Centre, Kohima.
With the efforts of the administration, people and different agencies of the Government, Churches NGOs etc, Amur Falcons (Migratory Birds) were well protected in the State during their migration in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. This brought laurels, both nationally and internationally, to the State. People of the State were awarded at different forums for the conservation works. Nagaland has been recognized as the Capital f Falcons by the world community
On behalf of the Forest Department, I appeal to the public, Government officials, Village Councils, army and Para military personnel, students, NGOs and others for protection of Wildlife including Amur Falcons.
Satya Prakash Tripathi
Chief Wildlife Warden
Nagaland, Dimapur
