Campaign for conservation of forest and wildlife in Nagaland continues

Participants and officials during the awareness campaign held at the SEFTI, Dimapur on February 11. 

Dimapur, February 11 (MExN): An awareness campaign for conservation of forest and wildlife, to mitigate human animal conflict and wildlife crime, biodiversity, nature conservation and constitution of community reserve and biodiversity management committee was held at the SEFTI, Dimapur on February 11. 

A press release issued by Imkumba, Director, State Environment & Forestry Training Institute stated that it was jointly organised by the Nagaland Forest Department, Nagaland State Biodiversity Board and the Wildlife Conservation Society-India, with participation of around 120 participants including students, frontline staff from the forest department and forest fringe communities.

Supongnukshi, IFS, CCF & Member Secretary, Nagaland State Biodiversity and the special invitee, in his address, highlighted the constitution and functioning of the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board. He deliberated on conservation, sustainable utilization and equitable distribution of biodiversity and its related benefits. He presented constitution of Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) and People Biodiversity Register (PBR) in the State. 

Satya Prakash Tripathi, PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden and HoFF, Nagaland (Retired) and Chairman, Biodiversity Board, in his keynote address, described the importance forest and wildlife in our life. Human beings cannot survive without forest and wildlife. But, forest and wildlife can survive without human beings. He highlighted the legal position of Community Reserve and Biodiversity Management Committee. He appealed the community to come forward for constitution of Community Reserve and Biodiversity Management Committee for possible funding by the Ministry.

Bano Haralu, Managing Trustee of Nagaland Biodiversity and Conservation Trust exhorted the participants by telling them to protect forest and wildlife as soldiers are protecting our country.

Samriddha Ghosh, Programme Assistant in Project Management Team in WCS India spoke about the conservation efforts by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India and she shared a power point presentation regarding the status of Biodiversity and its Conservation in the country.

Pradipty Bhardwaj, An Environmental Lawyer for WCS India, introduced to the participants about wildlife crimes and gave an overview about The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Positive interaction and feedbacks between the participants and forest officials were also exchanged followed by a pledge to promote conservation and preservation of forest and wildlife in the State.
Nature conservation quotes and book marks were distributed to participants.