Seijosa (Arunachal Pradesh), June 16, 2007: Heads of sixteen villages bordering Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh joined hands to form a committee for protection of the reserve where hunting of wild animals illegally has been a common practice.

The 16-member committee in conjunction with the forest department is to work for protection of the Pakke Reserve, about 250 kms from the Chinese border.

The committee, locally called as "Ghora Aabhe" recently passed a resolution listing penalties for wildlife violations of 17 different wild species ranging from rupees 200 to rupees 30,000."Following this initiative, about 32 illegal country-made guns were seized from poachers many of whom have now promised to work for protection of the reserve." Mr.Tana Tapi, Divisional Forest Officer who helped the villagers to form the committee said.

Conservation organization, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) who is supporting the "Goan Burahs" village heads with honorariums to carry out conservation actions said villagers have been keeping a strict vigil in the reserve which led to the recovery of arms.

The 862 sq km Pakke Reserve in the East Kameng District of the state is home to many rare and endangered wildlife, such as tiger, leopard, wild dog, Himalayan black bear, elephant, etc.

Although wildlife trade is not prevalent here as in other parts of the country, hunting for food has been a major threat to wildlife.

"The reduction in hunting, particularly of prey species of tigers will help tiger conservation in the long run," said Prof..P.CBhattacharjee, of Gauhati University.

The committee will work to strengthen intelligence networks, enforcement activities and will create awareness for conservation among people.

Repeated seizures would also act as deterrent for likely offenders, Mr.Tapi said.

"The Gaon Burah's role is crucial since they can persuade people for sustainable use of natural resources" said Prof.Bhattacharjee.

"This initiative can be a role-model elsewhere in the country where problems of hunting for food and trade are widespread.

Fringe villages adjoining huge unmanned wildlife sanctuaries can play a stellar role in conservation." Dr.Rahul Kaul, Director Conservation of WTI, who is supervising the project in Pakke said.

"The Pakke Reserve which is contiguous with the Nameri Tiger Reserve of Assam is an important habitat for the big cats.

This move by the villagers is an important step forward particularly in the light of the present tiger crisis in the country," he said.

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