Nagaland’s renowned conservationist, Y. Nuklu Phom was among six the winners for the prestigious “Whitley Awards 2021” .
The virtual award ceremony was scheduled to be held on May 12 at around 11.30 p.m., to be hosted live by Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) ambassadors Kate Humble and Tom Heap. The ceremony would honour six grassroots conservationists with Whitley Awards – providing winners with funding, training and profile.
After a comprehensive assessment, 15 names were initially shortlisted, out of 107 candidates, that were identified for doing incredible work with communities to safeguard wildlife, habitats and the future of society. Out of the 15 candidates, the Whitley Fund for Nature narrowed down to six finalists, including Y. Nuklu Phom.
Talking to Nagaland Post, Nuklu thanked all for their continuous prayer and support. “It is because of everyone’s prayer support I was selected among the finalists of the Whitley Fund for Nature Award 2021,” Nuklu, founding member of Yaongyimchen Community Biodiversity Conservation Area (YCBCA), Lemsachenlok organization, said.
It may be recalled that in recognition for their work at YCBCA, Lemsachenlok organization bagged the coveted India Biodiversity Award 2018 for conservation of wild species, initiated by government of India and UN Development Programme. Three villages under Longleng district- Yaongyimchen, Alayong and Sanglu, formed the YCBCA in 2007, maintained by a committee under the aegis of Lemsachenlok organisation.
Nuklu is also a recipient of the Governor’s gold medal and popularly known as the Amur falcon man of Nagaland. He has been focussed on conservation and protection of Amur falcons. The YCBCA area, which was earlier used as a Jhum fields, has been transformed into a safe haven for 85 species of birds, including Amur falcons, 15 species of frogs, as well as leopards, barking deer, serows and otters etc. The area has become one of the major roosting site for Amur Falcons in the state.