Wildlife Conservation: Efforts of co-existence in the ‘Land of Clouds’

Chepeü Koza
Forest Range Officer, Longleng Range, Longleng Forest Division

The close association between human settlement and wildlife has long been a way of life for the Nagas. Our culture and traditions have been deeply rooted in nature, and some of our most interesting folklores are based on wildlife and nature. Longleng, like other districts of Nagaland has majority of its land ownership with the community, clan and private individuals, drawing a crucial significance to the roles communities play in nature. With more than 80% of its population engaged in agriculture and living in close proximity to the forests, the possibility of man-animal conflicts in the fringe areas becomes a reality very often. And yet the reliance on forest resources seems to be ever increasing, questioning the very sustainable lifestyle that has been encouraged in all platforms. Amidst setbacks and challenges, a groundswell of community wildlife conservation efforts is breathing new life into this fragile co-existence, offering hope for a harmonious existence.

Few months into my posting at Longleng in 2023, I was made aware about the large roosting of Amur falcons in the previous years in the common conservation area of Yaongyimchen, Sanglu and Alayong village and in the neighbouring areas of Pongching, Mongtikang, Orangkong and Yachem village. The conservative and voluntary efforts of the Yaongyimchen, Sanglu and Alayong villagers under the leadership of Dr Y Nuklu Phom, a conservationist and the Team leader Lemsachenlok, has forged an exemplary path in uniting communities towards nature conservation.  Two satellite tagged Amur falcons named ‘Longleng’ and ‘Phom’ were released from Longleng in October 2016. The female Amur falcon ‘Longleng’ has been remarked to hold the world record for the longest 4 years of tracking providing nearly 10,200 data of locations and clocking 1,50,000km approximately, giving new insights into the ecology of the majestic raptors. The community through its respective village councils have imposed a complete ban on hunting in their conservation area, abandoning the tribal traditions of hunting - a notable step in their efforts to shift towards a conservation and environment conscious community. The sightings of the Amur falcon in Longleng has reduced in these few years however the community has been spirited and united in their endeavour towards conservation.

The apparent impact of degradation of our ecosystems has directly affected the wildlife as well. Habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat due to deforestation, unregulated NTFP collection and human encroachments have posed a great threat to the wildlife at large, and hence the restoration and reforestation efforts become imperative in bringing back biodiversity, creating healthier ecosystems that support not only wildlife but also the livelihoods of the people. Over the years, the Longleng Forest Division under the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate change, in collaboration with the local community has carried out plantation drives with focus on the feasibility of the plantation sites and suggesting suitable indigenous species for the plantations.  Besides the annual seedlings distribution in thousands to various governmental and non-governmental organizations, local church bodies, youth and student organizations, the Department has established nurseries in some villages to stimulate the raising of native tree species and be a supply point for local quality seedlings. It is encouraging to see plantation initiatives gaining momentum among the local community here. In one of my conversations with Yimkong Phom, a birding enthusiast, he mentioned the positive impact of plantation and regeneration efforts carried out these past years and the increased sighting of wildlife in the conservation area. In his birding ventures, he has sighted around 200 bird species like Common green magpie, Rufescent Prinia, Dusky warbler, Eurasian kestrel, Rufous necked laughing thrush, Black drongo, and even migratory ones like Red-wattled Lapwing and Black-backed dwarf kingfisher. I truly believe the local perception on nature and its changes carries weight and such positive influences can be shared and impacted over cups of tea, meetings and gatherings. In our collaborative plantations with Yachem village this year in their conservation area, we have emphasised on tree species like Terminaliachebula, T. myriocarpa, Canariumresiniferum, Emblicaofficinalis, Artocarpusheterophyllus, Dipterocarpusmacrocarpus, Baccaurearamifloraetc to support wildlife and their needs.

With the Forest department being the mediator for man-animal conflicts, there is a responsibility to balance both sides. In the past, there had been incidences of black-bear attacks and wild boar invasion into the fields highlighting the dangers to human life and crops in case of such encounters.Irecently bore witness of an Asiatic black bear cub nicknamed ‘Facebook’, nursed by Smti. PhongphenPhom and her son Khou for months, the developed bonding of the bear cub with its caretakers and the emotional departure for Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar, offering me a learning experience on human-animal bonding, but also indicating the need for more sensitization among the local communities and increased conservative efforts.

Wildlife conservation among the local communities also has its own share of challenges. Unlike humans, animals do not follow administrative boundaries or are limited to a certain jurisdiction and therefore stresses the need for co-operative conservation efforts between villages and districts. When a certain village has enacted a ban on hunting whilst the neighbouring ones have not, the dedication of a community towards conservation may be hampered. There is still neglect on the significance of wildlife presence and the exploitation of our forest resources needs awareness and proper regulations. 

On our part, interaction with the communities, focus on better sensitizations and awareness initiatives, plantations of non-palatable tree species in the fringes of agricultural areas to avoid encounters and reforestation of more indigenous species in the conservation areas to compliment conservation efforts and support wildlife are some of ventures we as a department need to continue to emphasise on.

A community-led conservation movement is gradually taking shape here in Longleng. The involvement of the local communities in joining hands with the Forest department for conservation efforts has fostered hope for a harmonious co-existence. And I am hopeful that such a community’s collective commitment will stand as a testament to the power of local action in safeguarding our biodiversity and bringing meaningful changes in nature.