DIMAPUR, AUG 25 (NPN): Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum (NCCAF) has appealed to communities, village councils, conservation groups, birdwatchers, students, researchers and the public to report hornbill sightings, nesting sites and important habitats across the State.
NCCAF chairman Heirang Lungalang and secretary Seve R Vadeo said that the forum was undertaking the initiative with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) as a knowledge partner, drawing on its experience in hornbill research, citizen science and community-based conservation.
The forum is particularly seeking information on active and old nesting sites, regular sightings, feeding or roosting areas, photographs or videos of breeding behaviour, and local knowledge about hornbill habitats. It said even old photographs or recollections of previously used nesting sites could be useful.
NCCAF said the records would help map hornbill distribution and identify important sites for field verification and potential community-based conservation, including protection of nesting trees and habitat monitoring.
The forum also said it would explore artificial nest structures in suitable locations where natural nesting cavities are scarce, subject to habitat assessment, technical guidance and community consent. It appealed to people not to disturb suspected nests and assured that precise locations of sensitive nesting sites would remain confidential. It also clarified that the initiative was not an enquiry into hunting and that no field visit would be undertaken without prior consultation and approval of the concerned customary authorities.
Records may be shared with NCCAF through WhatsApp at 9862000975 or email at nagalandccaforum@gmail.com / nccaf@outlook.com.
