LEDUM, Oct 8: The third edition of the Pasighat Butterfly and Biodiversity Meet (PBBM) began at ‘mural village’ Ledum in East Siang district on Tuesday, with nature conservation as its central theme, to promote the village as an eco-tourist destination.
The three-day ecotourism event, which included moth-watching on the opening day, will also feature activities like bird-watching, conservation activities, nature trail hikes, and nature photography, besides other activities.
Addressing the participants on the opening day, local MLA Ninong Ering lauded the villagers of Ledum for “showing the way for others to protect their rich fauna and flora,” and for making efforts to put Ledum on the ecotourism map of the world through their conservation efforts.
“The participation of the local community, who are the most the important stakeholders, is vital towards conservation of our ecosystem for sustainable development, and for our future generation,” Ering said to the tourists, nature lovers, environmentalists, research scholars, ecologists and wildlife officers who have arrived for the meet.
The MLA expressed hope that the meet would help create awareness on the importance of butterflies and biodiversity in general, and on the importance of conservation at the community level.
He also inaugurated the office of ‘Destination Ledum’.
Earlier, East Siang DC Kinny Singh said that such events provide a common platform to create awareness among the community members.
“The delicate and fragile butterfly, which is a beautiful creation and one of the vital species of nature, symbolizes the need to protect our fragile ecosystem. We must all come together to conserve and protect our rich wildlife and biodiversity,” she said.
The district administration has issued directives through the village heads to protect the district’s wildlife and take strict action against defaulters, Singh informed.
Earlier, a dance presentation on the theme of butterfly conservation, choreographed by noted folk artiste Denong Padung, was presented.
Later, Dr Joram Khopey presented a brief on the history of the PBBM and its objectives, while Mouling Wildlife Sanctuary DFO Boken Pao and DFO Tashi Mize spoke on the need to conserve wildlife and biodiversity.
Sikkim regional head of the Ashoka Trust for Research on Ecology & Environment, Dr Sarala Khaling, and Bomos Nature Conservation Society president Nawang Bhutia are also participating in the event. (DIPRO)
