Celebrating Wildlife Conservation Through Co-Existence

World Wildlife Week 2024 was observed in Nagaland with a series of events aimed at raising awareness about wildlife conservation, focusing on the theme “Wildlife Conservation through Co-existence.” The celebrations were organized by the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (CoVS&AH), Jalukie, in collaboration with the Divisional Forest Office (DFO), Jalukie, and the Kiphire Forest Division & Wildlife Division. The week-long events took place at the CoVS&AH, CAU, Jalukie, and Nitoi Village in Kiphire district.

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Raising Awareness at the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Jalukie

The CoVS&AH played a key role in promoting the significance of wildlife conservation among the local community. In his address, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, DFO of Peren, emphasized the need for peaceful co-existence with wildlife. He spoke about the importance of protecting the flora and fauna of Nagaland and beyond, encouraging citizens to actively participate in wildlife conservation.

The Dean of CoVS&AH, Dr. I. Shakuntala, highlighted the connection between wildlife conservation and the “One-Health” concept, which stresses the interdependence of human health, animal health, and the environment. She also pointed out the importance of protecting endangered species that play a crucial role in local ecosystems.

The program was coordinated by Prof. Gunjan Das, who delivered the welcome speech, urging collective efforts to protect wildlife. The event was attended by Forest Range Officer, Jalukie, Kenlumtatei, with a vote of thanks given by Assistant Professor Dr. Neithono Kuotsu.

As part of the celebrations, a pictograph competition was held on October 2, focused on the theme “Endangered Birds and Wild Animals of the Eight North-Eastern States.” Eight groups of students participated, showcasing their knowledge of wildlife in the region. Additionally, the college’s internship students visited the Divisional Forest Office’s rubber plantation unit on October 3, where they learned about rubber production from latex and explored other forest range units.

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Airgun Surrender at Nitoi Village

An airgun surrender program was organized at Nitoi Village, Kiphire, on October 2, as part of the World Wildlife Week observance. Rama Shankar Prasad, DFO Kiphire, gave a speech on the importance of peaceful co-existence with nature, wildlife, and the environment for a better future. He emphasized that both humans and wildlife need to live together harmoniously to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. He urged individual actions to help achieve this goal.

During the program, a total of 20 airguns were surrendered by the youth of Nitoi village, signaling a significant step towards wildlife conservation. The event was attended by Rama Shankar Prasad, ADC Kiphire, Longdiba L Sangtam, and Range Officer Kiphire, Aaron R Yimchunger. The primary objective of the program was to generate awareness and encourage the community to protect wildlife and the environment, highlighting the collective responsibility everyone shares.

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Eco-Warriors Spread Wildlife Awareness in Chumoukedima

On October 7, as part of the Wildlife Week celebrations, Eco-Warriors Nagaland conducted an awareness program at Bethal AG School, Diezephe Village, Chumoukedima. Lesemew, founder and chairman of Eco-Warriors Nagaland, spoke about the organization’s mission and initiatives aimed at promoting wildlife conservation. He also highlighted the ongoing World Wildlife Week celebration and the importance of raising awareness on the topic.

The session featured Tomal, a Research Associate from Azim Premji University and a birder from Northeast India, who shared insights about birding and introduced the students to various bird species found in the region. He engaged students with fascinating facts, enhancing their understanding of the biodiversity around them. Akrieno also delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of the wildlife week celebration.

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Concluding Remarks

World Wildlife Week in Nagaland served as a significant platform for raising awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and fostering peaceful co-existence between humans and wildlife. The activities and initiatives during the week were aimed at empowering local communities to take responsibility for protecting their natural environment and promoting sustainable living.