To deal with the issues of encroachment, deforestation and hunting,
the Nagaland Forest department and 16 villages surrounding Intanki National
Park in Peren district inked an agreement for protection of the park and
conservation of its forests and wildlife.
The 202 square km park, known for its scenic beauty and semi-tropical vegetation, is home to wild buffaloes, hoolok gibbon,
elephants, tigers, sloth bear, wild dogs and flying squirrels and many other
wild animals.
The four-point agreement was signed under the initiative of Nagaland
Forests, Environment and Climate Change department new commissioner and
secretary Y Kikheto Sema on the occasion of Wildlife Week celebration on
Tuesday.
The theme was “Partnerships for Wildlife Protection”.
In the agreement, the village chairmen assured of cooperating with
the State Government and the department for the protection of the park and its
biodiversity.
They resolved to refrain from hunting/poaching and other
destructive activities in the national park and impose prohibition orders in
their respective villages banning hunting and other activities not allowed by the
law.
Besides, it was resolved to cooperate with the department in its
policies and programmes in management of the park and share information of
relevance willingly to either party.
The department assured to make efforts for eco-development
activities of the surrounding villages, including improvement of livelihood and
other employment opportunities for the local youth, by way of trainings and
other human resource development programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, Sema made a fervent appeal to all the
stakeholders, including the district administrations, forest department and
public, to join hands to protect and conserve not only the Intanki National
Park but also the entire State’s forests and wildlife.
With only five per cent of land in Nagaland belonging to the State Government
and the rest in the hands of public, Sema underlined the need for the support
of the community and individuals to protect and preserve forests and wildlife.
NE Watch Desk
