Forest Department Seeks Truce With Youth Group Over Wildlife Arrest

Kohima: The Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department is scrambling to end a standoff with the Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation. Tensions boiled over after the department arrested Vezhoto Hesuh for an alleged wildlife offense. The youth group launched a non-cooperation movement on Monday to protest the state government’s inaction on their demands.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vedpal Singh called the situation unfortunate. He confirmed the department is pushing for a compromise to restore order. The department returned a seized Great Barbet to the group to de-escalate the conflict. Singh described this as a confidence-building move and expects a similar response. He told reporters, "The department was making efforts to find a solution."

Officials addressed these issues during a Wildlife Week event at the Town Hall in Mokokchung. The program, titled Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife, featured Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister CL John. He noted the deep-seated difficulty of ending hunting practices in Nagaland. John urged citizens to respect the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 while balancing community needs.

Singh used the event to explain the history of the 1972 act, which passed after wildlife numbers plummeted. He admitted conservation gains come slowly but insisted the movement is moving forward. State Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary Y Kikheto Sema joined the talks. Local village representatives also spoke, detailing the ongoing struggle with human-animal conflict.