Wildlife week
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 10 2013 :
Although Forest Department receives less than one per cent of the annual budget whereas the State's total forest cover is 78 per cent of its territory, Forest Department has been somehow managing against myriad challenges, claimed Principal Chief Conservator of Forest AK Rana.
He was speaking as guest of honour at the 58th Wildlife Week function held at Manipur Zoological Garden Iroishemba today under the aegis of Wildlife Wing, Forest Department.
Later prizes were distributed to winners of essay, painting and wildlife photo competitions organised as a part of the Wildlife Week.
Laishram Shamungou of The Sangai Express won the third prize in the wildlife photo competition.
Industries Minister K Govindas and MLA L Nandakumar were also seated on the dais as chief guest and president respectively.
At present, the department has 500 field staff but 40 per cent of them would be retiring by 2016 .
On the other hand, there is a ban on recruitment of new staff.
As such, there would be greater need for roping in volunteers in different activities of the department, stated the PCCF.
He announced that the Wildlife Week would be observed in every district headquarters starting from next year.
In his address, Govindas lamented that crows and vultures are no longer visible in Manipur.
He expressed deep concern that disappearance or extinction of wild animals often breeds adverse impacts on human beings.
Noting that wild animals are being continuously hunted/killed in the hills, Govindas underscored the importance of organising extensive awareness programmes in order to protect and preserve wild animals.
The gathering took a collective pledge to protect wild animals before the Prime Minister's message was read out.