[ Prafulla Kaman ]
BOLENG (Siang Dist), Apr 11: The State forest officials exhorted the community members to help safeguard the forest and wildlife.
“Let us show our kindness to wildlife and pledge to work collectively towards conserving our forests and environment,” said Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) Boken Pao in an awareness meeting at Yiibuk village here on Tuesday.
The Jengging Wildlife Division is organizing a series of wildlife awareness meeting, especially for the fringe areas dwellers of Mouling National Park.
He also explained the role of wildlife in maintaining ecological balance.
EAC, Boleng Jumte Jini advised the villagers to refrain from hunting of wild animals and using their licensed guns in such illegal activities. He informed the villagers of the punishment for illegal hunting and trade of wildlife under Wildlife Protection Act.
Divisional Forest Officer (T) of Aalo Abhinav Kumar said the Government spends huge money to protect and improve the environment, to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. He appealed to the public to cooperate with the government in its endeavor to save the forest and wildlife.
Siang District Tourism Officer TK Kopak opined that Mouling National Park can boost wildlife tourism. He suggested the fringe dwellers to start home-stay facility and show hospitality towards the visiting tourists.
Many public and panchayat leaders, gaon burahs, officials from WWF also spoke and suggested the villagers to do their part, no matter how small it is to protect the wildlife for future.
Mouling National Park, located at about 30 km from Boleng town is home to various species of mammals like Coral, Takin, Serow, Tiger, Panther, Red panda, Hog deer, Barking deer, Hoolock gibbon, Sambar, etc. and various birds like White-winged Wood Duck, Monal Pheasants, Tragopan, Giant Hornbill, Owl, Forest Eagle, Snowy throated babblers, and various species of reptiles.
Wildlife officials informed that they will conduct more such awareness meeting at Karko, Ramsing, Yingku Lising and Subsing villages near Maouling National Park within this month. They also distributed 100 solar lamps among the villagers.
The programme was sponsored by Jengging Wildlife Division and organized by Panchayat leaders and youths of Yiibuk village.
