70th Wildlife Week celebration continues
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 06 2024: As observed across the country, the 70th Wildlife Week 2024 is being celebrated in the State from October 2 to October 8, 2024 to raise awareness about the importance of protecting nature and its wildlife.

In connection with the celebration of 70th Widlife Week, the Forest Department, Manipur has been organising a number of events/ activities across the State to cultivate a culture of sustainability and coexistence, reinforcing the message that humans must share the planet with other living beings.

Day 4

On the 4th day (October 5) of 70th Wildlife Week celebration, DFO (Wildlife) organised a nature walk for students in the State Orchidarium, Khonghampat.

According to a release issued by Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), around 150 students participated in the nature walk.

N Ganesh, DFO/Central Forest Division; Vikram Nadhe, DCF/Park & Sanctuary; L Biramangol Singh, Director, Manipur Zoological Garden; Thokchom Autumn Meitei, DFO (Wildlife) and N Prabir Singh, ACF/KLNP were present at the event.

The Central Forest Division organized an awareness lecture on wildlife conservation and the need for coexistence for students and teachers of Wangoi Higher Secondary School.

The Division in association with People for Animals (PFA) released 12 snakes rescued from various areas to their natural habitat.

The Central Forest Division also made a short video message featuring renowned Manipuri Film actress Sushmita appealing to the general masses to actively participate in Wildlife Week and wildlife conservation and shared it through social media.

Visitors to the Manipur Zoological Garden and students planted 30 saplings of fruit-bearing species in and around the zoo.

The Director, MZG, officers, and staff of the Zoological Garden also participated and interacted with the visitors.

Jiribam Forest Division also organised a Cycle and Bike Rally to celebrate Wildlife Week on October 5.The rally was flagged off by Krishna Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam and Elangbam Niramala Chanu, DFO/Jiribam About 150 cyclists consisting of students, members of Friendly Environmental Warriors (FEW), Red Cross Society, and Forest Staff participated in the rally.

Noney Forest Division also organised a foot rally from Gaidimjang to Guangpungbut.

More than 350 students, wildlife lovers, and youths participated in the foot rally which was flagged off by D John Sha, DFO/ Noney.

Kamjong Forest Division also organised a Nature Walk in which 50 students from different schools participated.

DDK, Imphal organised a panel discussion on "Celebrating Wildlife Week 2024".L Birmangol Singh, Waikhom Romabai Devi, DFO/Bishnupur and M Wungrin, DFO/Urban participated in the panel discussion.

Esther Laltakim Serto, DFO/Churachandpur and SL Niangthinanhoi, DFO/Pherzawl gave radio talks on "Significance of habitat conservation for protecting the endangered Hoolock gibbon in Manipur" and "Importance of wildlife conservation for survival of all species and their ecosystem" in Hmar and Thadou dialects.

Mahamuda Begum, DFO/Tengnoupal also flagged off a mass rally for students, teachers and SHG members from her Division.

The rally started at Cherith Foundation School and concluded at Molnoi Beat Office.

Around 120 members participated in the mass rally.

Day 3

On October 4, the Forest Department, Manipur organised a State Level Wildlife Photography competition in the historic Nupilal Memorial Complex, Imphal on the theme, "Mammals of Manipur in their natural habitat".

More than 300 students, teachers, wildlife photographers, wildlife lovers, etc participated and inspected the competition.

Director, Manipur Zoological Garden, Imphal also organised an awareness programme on "Wildlife conservation through coexistence" at the Little Master English School, Samurou.

Renowned wildlife activist and Member IUCN (Deer Specialist) Dr Khangenbam Samungou Singh; Th Gnanic Singh, RFO and Giorge Yumnam, RFO spoke on the occasion.

A foot rally was also organised in Ukhrul today by the Ukhrul Forest Division to mark the 70th Wildlife Week celebration.

The rally was flagged off from Division HQ by Rajesh Darade, DFO/Ukhrul.

More than 300 students participated in the rally.

Elangbam Nirmala Chanu also flagged off a foot rally from the Division HQ.

Around 200 students and youths participated in the rally.

Waikhom Romabai took 50 students from his Division on an exposure tour to Manipur Zoological Garden.

She also felicitated 23 individuals in recognition of their contribution in wildlife conservation.

Two media personnel from Impact TV and SK TV were also felicitated for their outstanding reports on wildlife conservation.

Thoubal Forest Division continued their loudspeaker campaign in and around Waithou Pat and Thoubal Khunou which are important Bird Areas.

Cleaning of phumdis (floating vegetation) was carried out in Kharung Pat to facilitate feeding of migratory waterbirds in association with local youths.

Shangam S, DFO/Senapati; L Biramangol Singh and D John Sha gave talks through All India Radio, Imphal on the themes, "70th Wildlife Week Celebration 2024", "The contribution of zoological garden in promoting education, research and development in the conservation of wildlife" and "Importance of Community Reserves in conserving wildlife habitat" in Tangkhul, Manipuri, and Poumai dialects respectively.

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