Nagaland Minister Demands Halt to Wildlife Hunting

Kohima: Nagaland Minister CL John wants the killing to stop. During a Wildlife Week event in Mokokchung on Tuesday, the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister issued a blunt call to replace hunting with conservation. Nagas abandoned headhunting when Christianity arrived, he noted, yet animal hunting persists.

Wildlife Week runs from October 2 to 8. The minister praised the conservation success seen in two villages in Peren district and 141 villages in Mon district. These communities stopped killing animals and cutting trees years ago. They turned into guardians of their land.

"It is our shared responsibility to conserve and protect our wildlife that nature has provided us," John said. He urged teachers, church leaders, and local residents to take charge. Everyone must help educate their neighbors on the rules found in the Wildlife Protection Act.

Kikheto Sema, Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary, echoed the call for action. He spoke on the theme of Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife. Sema pushed church leaders to promote the law from the pulpit. He wants students, village councils, and elders to join forces to protect the region.