Nagaland State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with Phek District Legal Services Authority organised a legal awareness program on NALSA- Scheme on Access to Justice for Victims of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC), 2025 at Christian Mission Higher Secondary School Phek.

Neiko Akami, NJS, Member Secretary NSLSA, spoke about the provisions of NALSA Scheme for Victims of Human–Wildlife Conflict, 2025 which aims to address legal, social, and economic challenges faced by affected individuals in forest-fringe and tribal areas by facilitating legal aid, awareness, compensation, and allied reliefs in line with Articles 21 and 48A of the Constitution.

Under the Human-Wildlife Conflict scheme, Akami said there is a committee at a state level, and additionally also mandated to have a committee at a district level. These committees under the legal services authorities are to coordinate with the Forest Department.

The member secretary, in this regard, told the attendance that in case of any such conflict in one’s place or in one’s area, one can bring such incident to the attention of district legal services authority.

Elaborating, further, the scheme extends to those who have been attacked by wild animals, or have been killed and in cases destruction of farm land or crops.

He said the victims receive right and timely intervention especially relief and compensation for the loses meted according to its gravity.

Akami cited instances of human wildlife conflict and added that relief amounts were distributed to few victims in Wokha district for the losses meted by wild elephants in the region.

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Then, under this wildlife, human wildlife conflict, the DLSA, headed by Chairman and Secretary, panel lawyers are to create awareness to the masses so that whenever this type of human wildlife conflict takes place, the masses are aware and it the issue to the competent authority.

Sekhotso Rokha, Retainer Lawyer, Phek DLSA, spoke on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. He stressed that any person below the age of 18 years is considered a child under the law and is entitled to protection under various legal provisions. He explained the concept of “good touch and bad touch,” and penal provisions under the Act, and encouraged participants to report matters relating to sexual offences.

Thukutalu Chizo, Panel Lawyer, Phek DLSA Spoke on the Wild Life (Protection ) Act, 1972, she emphasized on the purpose, aim and objectives of the Act highlighting the key provisions. She further briefed on the changes made in the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment, Act 2022. Chizo further encouraged the students to have empathy for Wildlife and to abide by the Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Constitution of India, Article 48 (A) and Article 51 A (g) to protect and improve the natural environment.

The program was chaired by Advocate Khotsozo Venuh. More than 150 students attended the program.