Peren forest division, in collaboration with Wildlife Wing, organised a workshop on November 21 at Jalukie Forest Resource Centre with PCCF & HoFF (retd), D. K. Zeliang as special invitee.
A press release from DFO Peren, Dr. Sentitula, stated that Zeliang in his speech challenged the community and stakeholders to enhance their economy and livelihood through social forestry. He also highlighted the economic significance of Teak plantations in the region.
Chief wildlife warden Nagaland, Satya Prakash Tripathi highlighted the importance of Amur Falcons coming to Nagaland and the importance of Forest and Wildlife. He also spoke on the importance of community reserves and encouraged stakeholders to come forward and declare their forests “Community Reserves” to gain ecological benefits and also to avail financial benefits from the government.
DFO Peren, Dr. Sentitula, in her keynote address said that forests are the storehouse for all living beings. She laid emphasis on the responsibility of human kind to work towards multiplying and replenishing this store house. Dr. Sentitula encouraged villagers to harvest forest resources without destroying them so that future generations can also use them.
Highlighting the increase in the number of Amur Falcon presence in Jalukie valley as it does every year, ACF, Obed discussed the importance of and shared some facts about these Falcons. Range officer Jalukie, Punseni Khing presented the challenges faced by the protection force in their efforts to give safe passage to the falcons. Jalukie Students Union, who voluntarily participated in protection and patrolling duties along with the forest department, also shared their experiences and concerns regarding the Amur Falcon.
JFMC Old Jalukie, Iriegwang Mpom, spoke about also various steps taken by the community in efforts towards protecting forests. The village council has declared 370 Ha as Community Biodiversity Reserve and had imposed a total ban on jhumming, hunting, and logging.
The program started with invocation prayer offered by range officer Athibung, Irai Zeliang; vote of thanks was proposed by wildlife warden Dimapur, Tokaho Kinimi. Wildlife Crime Branch, Dimapur also presented a live demonstration of how to chase away wild elephants and mitigate conflict with them. The program was attended by village council chairman, VDB secretaries, and students from College of Veterinary Sciences Jalukie, Government Higher Secondary School Jalukie. Altogether 200 people attended the program.