Amid swelling problem of human elephant conflict or HEC,
the Meghalaya Government is mulling to create a migration corridor for wild
elephants linking Assam, Meghalaya and Bangladesh, said Meghalaya Chief
Minister Conrad K Sangma.
“We are moving with a very focused approach on forest
and environment and we will work in a mission mode focusing on key important
areas so that the department goes beyond its mandate to ensure that we are able
to provide the necessary support, investment and guidance to the forest
department,” said Conrad while addressing the valedictory function of Wildlife
Week 2023.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s unique and diversified
wildlife as a blessing to the State, he rued over not being able to really move
in a planned and scientific manner to a large extent.
The Chief Minister underlined the importance of
partnership between the government and the public.
“I am very happy that the theme for Wildlife Week 2023
is Partnerships for Wildlife Conservations and we need to understand the
behaviour of wild animals which requires a strong partnership with the
community to coexist in a peacefully and sustainably,” said the Meghalaya Chief
Minister.
Emphasizing on the need to have an elephant corridor
between Assam, Meghalaya and further on to Bangladesh, he informed, “I am very
keen on working with the government of Assam and the international agencies to
see how we can develop an elephant corridor which will permanently mark,
protect and give ways to these large peaceful animals.”
The Meghalaya Government will hold survey on the
population of elephants and other wildlife in the State as the action will help
the authorities in coming up with effective policies to expand co-existence
between human beings and animals.
“We are working on creating a collaboration between
wildlife, forest and eco-tourism and we will ensure that this policy is sustainable that will create livelihood and
alternative economic benefit for the community and protect our flora and fauna,”
he concluded.
Prior to the speech, the Chief Minister and the other
dignitaries awarded the staff of wildlife department for outstanding service
and distributed prizes to the winners of various events and competitions that
were held as a part of the Wildlife Week.
NE Watch Desk
