The celebration of wildlife week 2023 was organised by Kiphire Wildlife Division in collaboration with Kiphire Forest Division and Evergreen Welfare Society under the theme “Partnership for wildlife conservation”.
Commemorated at Hopongkyu Memorial Hall, the event was chaired by Chupitho, ACF Kiphire Forest Division
Stressing on the importance of wildlife conservation, Special Guest Y Atsase Thongtsa, Secretary to Government of Nagaland Department of Environment, Forest & Climate change, said “Where there is good forest, wildlife flourish and we get fresh air and clean water.”
He suggested the church to organize wildlife Sunday where people are made aware of the importance of wildlife to its congregation.
“Plant more trees as the resource belongs to its people for their benefits, and it doesn’t belong to anyone but the people who nurture them,” said Thongtsa.
He encouraged the villagers to conserve their rich forests so that they equally become contributors to the nation and humanity at large.
While wildlife conservation funds are limited, Thongtsa informed that there are provisions of the government in recognizing efforts of communities and individuals working towards the strengthening the sustainability of wildlife.
Thanking all the school students and teachers, who participated in the competition organized by the forest department, Thongtsa noted that the participation will inculcate the importance of wildlife in the mind and life of the students.
Reminding the gathering that wildlife conservation pertains both to plant and animal life, Guest Speaker Longdiba SDO,Civil, Kiphire briefed on the Wildlife week, which coincides with the Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation as his philosophy of Ahimsa applies to all life both Human and animals.
Narrating his upbringing from Kiphire, Longdiba observed the weather outbursts and changing climate patterns in the District. “While in the past the weather of Kiphire was pleasant and favorable, at present the weather in the district has becoming very warm and unpleasant. One big reason could be because of Logging and deforestation on a large scale in the district. Therefore, it’s high time we should all put our head and hearts together to preserve wildlife, which is a treasure to our life,” asserted Longdiba.
Further, with excessive hunting and illegal poaching, Longdiba mentioned how there are lesser number of birds and animals in our forests.
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“In today’s age, we have lots of departments and NGOs who are dedicated in conservation of wildlife therefore,I urge the villagers and students to connect the right channel with the same objective,” said Longdiba.
Lima, Wildlife warden, Kiphire in his address, spoke on Conservation of plants and animals, mentioning the quote “Shoot with camera not with guns”. Encouraging the villagers attending the program to be partakers in the conservation of nature, Lima said, “Where there are forests and trees, there are more wildlife living among them”.
During the event, the prize distribution was held where school students who participated in the recently conducted competition under the Forest Department Kiphire, were felicitated.
