Residents of Thanamir village in the foothills of Mt Saramati, who are collaborating with national organisations to research and protect wildlife in their community forest, have found a host of rare and endangered wildlife in the forests in their own backyard.
Residents of Thanamir village in Kiphire district have detected clouded leopard, bear, packs of dhole (Asiatic wild dog) and adult stumped-tailed macaques in the community forest by using camera traps after they teamed up with Delhi-based NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI)to learn using automatic cameras to study the lives of wild animals.
These camera traps have captured thousands of pictures showing the rich wildlife that inhabit Thanamir forests, and many of these animals are globally endangered.
Like much of Nagaland, residents of Thanamir own, use and manage their community forest. Lying in the shadow of Mt Saramati (3,842 m), State’s highest peak, this region is the ancestral homeland of Yimkhiung Naga.
For several years, local youth and leaders have taken a keen interest in protection of their forest and wildlife. The village council and student union have instituted various resolutions to curb over-hunting of wildlife and protect the forest.
The research being conducted is aimed at strengthening these management systems through an evidence-based approach. “For the past two years, our team at Thanamir village has been collaborating with WPSI to conduct research activities. Using camera trap surveys, we are trying to document wildlife in our forest. We want to know how many different types of animals live here and what their populations are like. We were surprised by the abundance of wildlife and thrilled to see that our forest is home to rich biodiversity,” remarked say Jona Yimchunger and Rethsucham Yimchunger, Thanamir residents and members of the project team.
Their surveys have documented over 23 animal species, including Indian muntjac, stump-tailed macaque, dhole, Asiatic back bear and the elusive clouded leopard. Besides these, State birdBlyth’s Tragopan was also photographed.
“We are thrilled with the results and with the collaboration and friendship we have received from the people of Thanamir,” remarked WPSIexecutive director Belinda Wright.
Earlier this year, the team also collaborated with Bird Count India project Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) to learn more about birds and develop skills in bird identification. Having grown up surrounded by forest and wildlife, the local team members have incredible local knowledge of birds and animals.
“Since the training, we have documented over 220 bird species in our forest. We have been practising for months with the help of outside experts and now feel confident to independently conduct bird surveys on our own. We want to study birds as they migrate through the seasons. We have also started sharing our findings on global birding platforms like eBird,” said Rethsuthong Yimchunger, a skilled and enthusiastic birder.
The project will also integrate socio-ecological data, which will be used by the local council and student union to co-develop plans that prioritise both wildlife populations and community well-being.
WPSI researcher and project lead Ramya Nair said, “We want to understand the intricate relationships people have with nature and approach them sensitively and respectfully.”
Community forests in Nagaland and across the Northeast are often dismissed by scientists as “empty forests”. But research is showing that this narrative couldn’t be farther from truth. Across Nagaland, local communities are mobilising themselves to protect their forests, and the wildlife is now bouncing back in previously denuded and overhunted forests.
There are currently over 400 community conserved areas across Nagaland – the highest in any State in the country. This was stated in a press release.