Zunheboto Forest Division observed Wildlife Week 2026 across the district with awareness programmes, educational activities, nature treks and community engagements. (Photo Courtesy: DFO Zunheboto)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | October 10
The Zunheboto Forest Division observed Wildlife Week 2026 across Zunheboto district under the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife,” with awareness programmes, educational activities, nature treks and community engagements held across Pughoboto, Suruhuto, Atoizu, Akuluto and Satakha forest ranges.
A major highlight of the celebration was the community screening of Satoi Connect: Where Conservation Meets Community at Satoi Town on October 8, ahead of its official premiere for a wider audience. The screening fulfilled a commitment to allow the local community to watch the documentary first, recognising their role in the conservation initiative.
The documentary showcases the ecological richness, cultural heritage and community-led conservation efforts of the Satoi landscape, while highlighting the potential of community-based ecotourism to support local livelihoods without compromising the environment.
As part of the programme, Satakha Forest Range organised wildlife awareness activities and a nature trek on October 7 along the trail from Hokiye Village towards Chingku Mountain. Schoolchildren, Forest Department personnel led by the Divisional Forest Officer, members of FES, Green Hub interns and other participants took part in the trek.
The participants interacted with village elders and learned about forest ecology, wildlife and habitat conservation. They also formed human chains around two of the largest trees encountered during the trek to understand the scale and ecological significance of the forest.
A quiz competition was also organised for students of Government Middle School, Satoi. On October 8, the participating children were felicitated, with Ikusa of Class VIII receiving the Best Trekker Award and Kinikali Awomi of Class IV being recognised as the Youngest Trekker.
Meanwhile, Wildlife Week was observed at Mishilimi under Pughoboto Forest Range on October 6 in collaboration with NFMP YouthNet, Zunheboto. The programme brought together village councils, Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and community members. Awareness sessions focused on wildlife protection, habitat conservation, forest-fire prevention and responsible use of forest resources, followed by a plantation activity.
At Suruhuto, the programme was held in collaboration with Millennium School on October 6, with 94 participants, including students, teachers and Forest Department personnel. Activities highlighted ecological balance, wildlife corridors and forest-fire prevention, while essay-writing and drawing competitions encouraged students to engage with conservation issues.
At Atoizu, a programme was organised at Vekuho Old Village Batch-III on October 7 in collaboration with NFMP YouthNet. Participants, including village council representatives, JFMC members, SHGs and village leaders, were sensitised on habitat protection, prevention of hunting and poaching, forest-fire prevention, biodiversity conservation and the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Government Higher Secondary School, Akuluto, also hosted a Wildlife Week programme on October 7, featuring a drawing competition for students from Classes VI to XII on the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife.”
