In an endeavor to promote protection of Hornbill and environmental awareness and conservation, department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (DoEF&CC) organized a 6 km Marathon on Monday, under the theme “Run for Hornbill: Against Time”.
The marathon commenced from Green Park and culminated at Nagaland Zoological Park.
Addressing an enthusiastic gathering of around 300 runners at Green Park, minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and Village Guard, CL John, highlighted the department’s commitment to participate in the Hornbill Festival for the first time.
Emphasizing Forest department’s role as the custodian of the Hornbill bird, he urged the attendees to not engage in hunting activities and urged them to protect the bird and also spread awareness.
He expressing concern on the traditional use of Hornbill feathers in Naga headgear, and advocated for adopting sustainable practices, suggesting the use of replicas or alternative materials for artistic expressions. He also emphasized on the need to safeguard the Hornbill population.
Acknowledging the cultural significance of Hornbill Festival as a unifying event for the Nagas, the minister asserted that the festival’s essence would be diminished without a thriving Hornbill population in the state.
Meanwhile, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force, Dharmendra Prakash, in his brief message, emphasized the deep-rooted connection between the Hornbill bird and the Nagas. He however cautioned that the once abundant Hornbill bird has now become a rarity.
Highlighting the significance of the marathon as a means to raise awareness, Prakash expressed optimism that the event would set an inspiring example not just for Nagaland but for the global community.
Commissioner and Secretary, DoEF&CC, Y Kikheto Sema, underscored the importance of the event as an awareness initiative, urging people to take responsibility for the protection of the Hornbill.
Sema emphasized that the marathon sought to imprint awareness in the minds of the people, not only to preserve the Hornbill but also to safeguard the cultural significance of the Hornbill Festival. He also categorically stated that harming or killing the Hornbill bird was a violation, reinforcing the need for collective efforts to ensure the survival of this precious species.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by CF & Director, Intanki National Park and Nagaland Zoological Park, Aochuba and welcome address delivered by CF, Southern Territorial Circle, Zuthunglo Patton.
Meanwhile, during his address as the special invitee at the prize distribution ceremony held at Nagaland Zoological Park, Commissioner and Secretary, DoEF&CC, Y Kikheto Sema, appealed to the Naga tribes for immediate action to safeguard the iconic Hornbill bird species from the brink of extinction.
With several species on the verge of extinction, he expressed concern that the celebrated Hornbill Festival might soon be observed without the majestic birds in the state. He congratulated all the winners of the Marathon, and expressed hope that apart from the physical glory, runners would also perceive the notion on the protection of Hornbill birds.
Also speaking at the event, PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, Vedpal Singh, shed light on the critical state of Hornbill populations in the state.
He also underscored the responsibility of each individual in preventing the extinction of the iconic bird species and called for united effort to create awareness and actively engage in conservation initiatives.
It can be noted that around 300 runners took park in the marathon, with 67 year old as the oldest and 6 years old as the youngest. A Mathi Kho, Wede T Mero and Cuvoto Medeo of men’s category and Jemee P, Supei S, and Tsuyangla Yimchunger of Women’s category bagged the first, second and third places respectively, walking away with a cash prize of Rs. 15,000, Rs. 10,000 and Rs 5000 respectively, along with citations.