Dimapur, Aug. 14 (EMN): Wildlife wing of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change department observed ‘World Elephant Day 2022’ on August 12 at Forest Office Complex in Dimapur.
Dr. C Zupeni, director of Nagaland Zoological Park and in-charge Wildlife Warden, Dimapur, welcomed the invitees and participants to the programme. She highlighted that World Elephant Day was first observed on August 12, 2012, initiated by Canadian filmmakers, Patricia Sims, and Michael Clark of Canazwest Pictures and Thailand-based Elephant Reintroduction Foundation, stated an update from the departmet.
With the recent declaration of Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary as elephant reserve on August 16, 2018, she stated that Nagaland has two elephant reserves, the other being Intanki Elephant Reserve. She stressed on the importance of saving the jumbos as they play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem.
Satya Prakash Tripathi, chairman of State Biodiversity Board Nagaland (SBBN) and special invitee of the programme, stated that three basic needs of life- shelter, water and food, are all provided by the forests. He, therefore, stated that conservation of all wildlife species including elephant was important.
He also stated that the country has made a significant step on forest and wildlife conservation such as enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the subject of forest being transferred from state list to concurrent list in 1976.
He encouraged the students to be the ambassadors for conservation of forest and wildlife for survival and to have empathy on all animals.
It stated that a short documentary film on elephant conservation and steps taken by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, government of India, under project elephant to improve elephant habitats and address the conservation issues related to it was screened during the programme.
It was followed with interaction among the participants.
The programme was attended by DFO Dimapur and staff; various officials of the department from Wildlife division, Dimapur; Nagaland Zoological Park; Intangki National Park; CWLW, Dimapur; and students from Government Middle School, Indisen village; and owners of captive elephants.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Nukshi, deputy ranger of Wildlife division, Dimapur, and benediction said by Sentinaro.