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Resource persons with the participants during the programme in Longleng district.[/caption]
Dimapur, Aug.4 (EMN): Forest department has organised an awareness programme in conservation of forest and wildlife to mitigate human-animal conflict and wildlife crime at Sitap village in Longleng district on July 31.
The Chief Wildlife Warden of Nagaland, Satya Prakash Tripathi, in his keynote address, said that the genesis of the human-animal conflict prevalent in the state in general and migratory elephant problem in Sitap. He highlighted the policies of the state government and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for addressing the problem.
Stressing on the importance of forest and wildlife scenario in Nagaland, concept of community reserves, he appealed to the people to protect forest and wildlife by declaring their forest in to the community reserve. He also told them to contact forest officials immediately in case of damage of their crop, properties, and human life.
Wildlife Warden of Kiphire, Suman, spoke on working of a territorial and wildlife forest divisions. He explained the procedure in adopting community reserves. He also enlightened the villagers about the importance of wildlife in the ecosystem with the examples, such as, the contributions of honey bees in pollination and communication behaviour among dolphins. Awareness was also given on the applicability of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 in Nagaland.
A similar programme was conducted t July 31 at the Forest Colony, Tizitby, with participation of around 90 persons, officers from Forest department, chairmen and members of village councils of nearby villages. The Programme has been sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi.
DFO Mon T Aochuba who chaired the program gave brief background of the program.
Y M Jami, conservator of forests, Northern Territorial Circle, Mokokchung and director of Intanki National Park, Dimapur highlighted the existing human-elephant conflict prevalent in the area due to migratory elephants, moving between Assam and Nagaland. He appealed village councils to ban hunting throughout the area, not on seasonal basis.
Chief Wildlife Warden Satya Prakash Tripathi spoke about the genesis of the human-animal conflict prevalent in the state. He highlighted the policies of the state government and the MoEF& CC, GoI, New Delhi for addressing the problem.
