KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, OCT 8 (NPN): Wildlife Week 2026 was observed across several districts and institutions in Nagaland under the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife,” with a series of awareness programmes, educational activities, competitions and community engagement initiatives aimed at promoting wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable coexistence between people and nature.
Kohima Forest Division observes Wildlife Week
The Kohima Forest Division organized Wildlife Week 2026 observation at the Forest Office Complex in Kohima on Thursday. Addressing the gathering, Conservator of Forests (STC), K. Hukato Chishi, emphasized the responsibility of citizens to protect wildlife and forests, stating that natural resources should be used wisely and not exploited. He noted that Naga traditions have long upheld the values of nature conservation and urged participants to become ambassadors for wildlife protection and spread awareness about the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act.
The programme was chaired by RFO Tseminyu, Yhuntilo Kent, while the invocation was pronounced by RFO Kohima, Medolezo Kire. A presentation on key provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act was delivered by RFO Chiephobozou, Savinuo Kikhi. A student from Sazolie College, Jotsoma also spoke on wildlife conservation. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by DFO Kohima, Dr. Sevono Seletsu.
(Correspondent)
Wildlife Week observed in Wokha
The Doyang Wildlife Division and Wokha Forest Division, in collaboration with Green Succession Nagaland and the Wokha District Legal Services Authority, organized Wildlife Week 2026 at Old Ralan Community Hall on October 8.
Delivering the keynote address, Wildlife Warden of Doyang Wildlife Division, Jongponglemba, stressed the urgent need to protect fragile ecosystems and strengthen community participation in conservation efforts. He highlighted that connecting fragmented habitats is crucial for sustaining biodiversity and ensuring the survival of endangered species.
In their addresses, DFO Wokha, Suman W.M. Sivachar and Border Magistrate, Ralan, Tsenthungo Ngullie, underscored the importance of grassroots awareness and community involvement in conservation. Sivachar emphasized that conservation is essential not only for protecting wildlife but also for maintaining ecological balance, water security and rural livelihoods. Ngullie highlighted the need to empower local councils and youth groups with knowledge of wildlife laws to strengthen enforcement and reduce wildlife-related crimes.
During the programme, concerns raised by the Yamhon Area Public Organization and Ralan Area Lotha Hoho were also addressed. The campaign, which began on October 2, included awareness programmes across villages and forest ranges in Wokha district, focusing on wildlife protection, ecological balance, wildlife laws and mitigation of human-elephant conflicts.
The event concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations and village institutions to ensure effective wildlife conservation.
Wildlife Week celebration at Nagaland Zoological Park
The Nagaland Zoological Park, in collaboration with the Wildlife Division, Dimapur, organized a week-long Wildlife Week celebration from October 2 to 8.
The celebration featured a range of educational and interactive activities designed to promote environmental awareness among students and the public. Events included the “Know Your Wild: Wildlife Essay Challenge,” where students wrote essays on various wildlife species and their conservation needs and the awareness talk “Beyond the Shell: Understanding Tortoises & Their Conservation,” coordinated by the Wildlife Survival Alliance.
Other activities included the “Wild Mind: The Nature & Wildlife Quest” quiz competition conducted by Eco Warriors Nagaland, a bird-watching programme for college students, guided educational zoo tours and a cleanup competition titled “Pickup & Score (Synthetic Waste).” During the cleanup drive, participating students collected approximately 130 kilograms of plastic waste from the zoo premises.
The week-long celebration culminated on October 8 with presentations by noted conservationists. Project Lead of WCS India, Bano Haralu, spoke on the ecological importance of Ntangki National Park and rainforest corridor conservation. Monesh Singh Tomar of the Wildlife Trust of India highlighted the connection between wildlife conservation and human survival, while Upamanyu of the Wildlife Survival Alliance discussed efforts to reintroduce the Asian Giant Tortoise in Nagaland.
The programme concluded with a valedictory function and distribution of prizes and certificates to competition winners.
CVS&AH (CAU) Jalukie celebrates National Wildlife Week
The College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Jalukie, also observed National Wildlife Week-2026.
Welcoming participants, Prof. Gunjan Das, convener of the programme, highlighted the significance of Wildlife Week and the relevance of this year’s theme. The special guest, DFO Peren, Chisayi Vadeo, delivered a lecture emphasizing wildlife conservation, protection of flora and fauna, habitat connectivity and the importance of coexistence between development and environmental sustainability.
The Dean of the college, Dr. I. Shakuntala, outlined the activities of the institution and emphasized the need to address habitat fragmentation and strengthen collective efforts for wildlife protection.
A poster-making competition was also organized as part of the celebration, with eleven students participating. Merit and participation certificates were distributed to the participants. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Amrit Gogoi, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathology.
Across Nagaland, Wildlife Week 2026 served as a platform to promote environmental stewardship, strengthen conservation awareness and encourage collective action towards protecting the state’s rich biodiversity and wildlife habitats.