Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire has called upon concerned department and community to work together in creating awareness and implement various policies for conservation.
He was speaking at the launching of state wide awareness campaign on human-animal conflict–“Awareness Seminar on Mitigation of Human-Animal Conflict” at PCCF conference hall, Tuesday.
The campaign is organized by wildlife with Nagaland department of environment, forest and climate change in collaboration with Fingerprint Nagaland and Castle Group sponsored by ministry of environment, forest and climate change government of India
Appreciating the community participation in the state, Dr. Nicky said even if the department lay down various policies it would be futile unless the community come forward and participate.
Acknowledging that man-elephant conflict was more reported in districts like Wokha, Zunheboto and Mokokchung, the minister highlighted on the need to provide necessary plantation and corridor for the elephants.
On conservation of the migration bird Amur Falcon, Dr. Nicky lamented that the same could not be implemented 100% as even in the year 2015, reports of the bird being killed emerged.
The minister also expressed concern on the need to check selling of bird and animals along the National highway.
Delivering short speech, PCCF and HoFF Lokeswara Rao observed that human-animal conflict was occurring because of habitat destruction.
In regard to elephant destruction problem in Wokha, he said that to tackle the issue it was better to restore the habitat of the elephants with constant monitoring and time to time interaction with people.
Rao also pitched on the idea to recognize Dzuku valley, Doyang or Saramti as a biosphere reserve or heritage site during discussion with UNESCO on June 27.
Lauding the role of churches in spreading awareness on conservation of forest and wildlife, he further urged Fingerprints to take up the issue of coal mining, so that coal mining could be done in a scientific way.
Delivering keynote address, chief wildlife warden, Satya Prakash Tripati informed that with the support of ministry and state government had sent 15 persons to Bangalore to be trained on how to guard crop against elephant. He said that this year 4-5 persons from Wokha district would be trained.
The gathering was enthralled through a special song by Tali Angh, campaigners note was delivered by N. Hongba Phom of Fingerprints while vote of thanks was delivered by wildlife warden wildlife division Dimapur, K. Caroline. The programme was chaired by Vincent Belho of castle group.
The awareness campaign first phase would begin from July 14 to July 21 at Phek, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Wokham Peren and Dimapur (Niuland) while the second phase would begin from July 29 to August 9 at Mon, Longleng, Tuensang and Kiphire.