The Doyang Wildlife Division and Wokha Forest Division, in collaboration with Green Succession Nagaland, and the Wokha District Legal Services Authority, organized Wildlife Week 2026 on  the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife”, at the Community Hall, Old Ralan on October 8.

Delivering the keynote address, Wildlife Warden of Doyang Wildlife Division, Jongponglemba, emphasized the urgent need to safeguard fragile ecosystems and to strengthen community participation in conservation efforts. He highlighted that connecting fragmented habitats is vital for sustaining biodiversity and ensuring the survival of endangered species.

DFO Wokha, Suman WM Sivachar, and Border Magistrate Ralan, Tsenthungo Ngullie, in their speeches, underscored the importance of awareness creation at the grassroots level. They noted that when villages actively engage in conservation, it builds strong community support for protecting forests and wildlife.

Sivachar further stressed that conservation is not only about protecting animals but also about preserving ecological balance, water security, and the livelihoods of rural communities. Ngullie added that empowering local councils and youth groups with knowledge of wildlife laws and penalties for violations would strengthen enforcement and reduce wildlife crimes.

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Grievances raised by the Yamhon Area Public Organization and the Ralan Area Lotha Hoho were also addressed during the programme, reflecting the participatory nature of the campaign.

The Wildlife Week campaign, which began on October 2, covered villages, ranges, and blocks across Wokha district. Awareness programmes educated communities on the importance of wildlife in maintaining ecological balance, the legal consequences of wildlife crimes, and the need to mitigate human-elephant conflicts. The initiative sought to instil compassion, vigilance, and responsibility among citizens while reinforcing the rule of law in conservation. The event concluded with a collective call for stronger collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and village institutions to ensure that wildlife thrives alongside human communities.