Kohima: The Tuensang Forest Division hosted an environmental and wildlife sensitisation program at Saoshou Village Community Hall on August 8. The event fell under the Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya Nagaland Project, which gets funding from the Federal Republic of Germany via KfW. Locals started the day with a nature walk to track flora and fauna before T Surotsa Sangtam chaired the formal session.
RFO Menya Wongto told the crowd that churches, students, and community committees hold the keys to protection. Village council chair K Chuba backed this up by noting that the council strictly enforces a total ban on hunting and tree felling within the Community Conservation Area. Meanwhile, I Chingyang of a local self-help group urged residents to plant more trees and stop deforestation. She told the group, "Drawing inspiration from the historic Chipko movement, she encouraged all attendees to plant more trees, actively avoid deforestation and strictly follow the forest department's guidelines."
N Imlong Chang led a technical session on the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and the Biodiversity Act of 2002. He warned that Article 371(A) of the Constitution does not grant a free pass for resource destruction because state laws protect the local ecosystem. Officials reminded villagers that crimes against the forest or wildlife carry severe legal penalties. The day ended with an open discussion and a final word from GB I Khamba.
Comments