World Wildlife Day: Chang seeks citizens’ hand in conservation

88.3% of forest area is owned by individuals and communities in Nagaland

Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, March 2: On the occasion of ‘World Wildlife Day 2019’, which is celebrated on March 3, minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CM Chang, has appealed to the people of Nagaland “to join hands with the Forest department in saving water bodies and rich wildlife of the state.” In a statement issued on Saturday, Chang urged the citizens of Nagaland to “declare their land solely for the purpose of wild animals and their habitats” in order to ensure availability of resources for the future generation on a sustained basis. World Wildlife Day is observed every year to celebrate and raise awareness on the world's wild fauna and flora. Mentioning the theme of the World Wildlife Day 2019—‘Life below water: for people and planet’— the minister said that it is the responsibility of the government and the people to join hands in protecting water bodies in Nagaland, which are habitats of a variety of wild flora and fauna. “We are well aware that basic needs of human beings like food, clothes, and shelter are directly or indirectly met from forests. Forests not only affect climate change, global warming, health etc., but also address ecological, food, and water security of the country,” Chang said. The minister further emphasised on the importance of human relationship with animals. “The survival of human is dependent on the survival of animal and plant life. Nature, forest, and wildlife can survive without human beings; but vice versa is not possible,” Chang maintained. Pointing out that India is one of the mega bio-diverse countries of the world, the minister lamented that the diversity is under stress from poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Chang appealed the people of the state to join hands with the government in curbing wildlife crime. Chang also admitted that—despite Naga forefathers being hunters, who hunted wild animals to eat and survive—the state has improved in wildlife protection of late. “People are coming forward to protect and conserve forest and wildlife. The latest example is protection of Amur falcons in the state, for which, the state has been recognised as the Falcons’ capital of the world,” he said. Stating that water and wetlands play important role for the rural poor as they affect health, livelihood, and economy, the minister mentioned that there are 421 wetlands, spread over 21554 hectares in Nagaland. He admitted that most of the wetlands were degraded and polluted due to biotic factors, for which, he laid emphasis on the need to conserve water bodies. The minister also stated that the scenario of forest and wildlife in Nagaland was completely different from other parts of the country. Chang mentioned that 88.3% of forest area is owned by individuals and communities in Nagaland, for which, he said the people hold more responsibility for protection and conservation of forest and wildlife in the state. Chang further pointed out that the government of Nagaland has notified 57 Community Reserves, including proposals for notification of Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) into community reserves in the state. An official from the Forest department told Eastern Mirror on Saturday that some divisions in the state have already conducted programmes on March 2 to mark the occasion, since March 3 falls on Sunday. However, the official informed that the rest of the divisions will be carrying out wildlife awareness programmes after the church programmes on Sunday.