Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Forces (HoFF) AK Joshi on Sunday said that involvement of community in protection of wildlife has improved with the scaling up of awareness level on significance of wildlife conservation.
He stated this during the observance ceremony of 47th Zoo Foundation Day held at the premises of Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba, Imphal West.
Addressing the function as chief guest, AK Joshi said that community participation in conservation has been increasing. In some places of hill areas, villagers have started depositing hunting guns or weapons to village authority. Such kind of behavioural changes shows that people have started taking concern on conservation and protection of wildlife, he added.
He further said that after the amendment of Wildlife Protection Act in 1972, wildlife was protected in a more successful manner as special power was given to wildlife protection forces. With the promulgation of this act, wildlife scenario was improved in almost all parts of the country, the director said.
He said that the Manipur government has also extended good efforts for conservation and protection of wildlife. As per the norm of the government, at least five per cent of the total geographical area should be protected forest. For Manipur, it is 4.5 per cent which is highly appreciable and as an outcome of the effort, state bird Nongin, which was listed as endangered, was sighted at Razai Khullen in Ukhrul after so many years, he said. Considering the importance of Nongin conservation, the state government had proposed to declare the said village as community reserve forest. Migration of Amur Falcon in the state is also one success story of the state, the director noted.
He continued that focus is also given to improve the habitation of Keibul Lamjao National Park by creating meadow, phumdis consolidation, integrated management plan etc. Due to COVID-19, population estimation of species inhabited in Keibul Lamjao National Park was not carried out for two years. But this time, they are planning to conduct it, the director informed.
Other dignitaries attended the function were chief conservator of Forest/Wildlife, L Joykumar Singh; director of Manipur Zoological Garden, L Birmangol Singh and divisional forest officer/wildlife division, government of Manipur, Vahneichong Singson as president and guests of honour respectively.
As a part of the programme, staff of the Manipur Zoological Garden were felicitated, acknowledging their contribution in maintaining and looking after all the animals found in the zoo.
Solo Marathon runner Anish Ahamad, who ran with the theme of Save wildlife from Bishnupur Sunday morning was welcome at Manipur Zoological Garden and felicitated.
