Sensitisation programme on wildlife crime

One day sensitization programme on wildlife crime was jointly organized by the Nagaland Forest Department and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), sub-regional office Guwahati on October 14 at conference hall of Forest office complex, Dimapur. 

A press note by PCCF & CWLW, Dimapur, S. P. Tripathi stated that principal secretary of Environment, and Forest & Climate Change, L. Kire, as chief guest, highlighted the importance of wildlife and forest for ecological, water and food security and emphasised the need of creating awareness for wildlife conservation at grass-root level with the involvement of all stakeholders. 

Chairman of the programme and principal chief conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Nagaland, I. Panger Jamir, quoted from the Bible that man was created later for protection and conservation of wildlife/nature as its custodian. He appealed all stakeholders for protection of wildlife.

Regional deputy director, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Government of India, Eastern Region, Kolkata, Agni Mitra made a power point presentation highlighting the genesis and modus operandi of wildlife crimes in the North-Eastern Region in general and Nagaland in particular. 

Chief guest of the valedictory session, secretary of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Imtienla Ao, in her speech, stated how cultural tradition of hunting wild animals, Art.371A has been a hindrance for the effective control of wildlife crimes. 

She also stated that under Wildlife Wing, a post of DCF was being created in cadre review to look after wildlife crime matter and that wildlife Range, Wokha would be created soon. 

Following recommendations were presented by CF, NTC Mokokchung and director Intanki National Park, Y. M Jami: To create more awareness among the people about the importance of wildlife and implications of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 for its effectiveness; To coordinate with other enforcement dept/agencies police, judiciary to curb wildlife crime; In order to assist the wildlife crime control in detecting wildlife offences, local informers may be engaged; A full-fledged DCF may be posted to effectively control wildlife crimes; Department should organise more awareness program in collaboration with Nagaland Legal Service  Authority. 

The sensitization programme began with additional director, WCCB, sub-regional office, Guwahati, Dr K.K Sharma with power point presentation on various provisions and sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Vote of thanks during inaugural session was delivered by PCCF & chief wildlife warden, Nagaland Satya Prakash Tripathi while wildlife warden Dimapur, K. Caroline Angami, proposed vote of thanks in the valedictory session.

70 officers which included judicial magistrates, judges, public prosecutors, police officers, and forest officials participated in the programme.