Wildlife Week observance prog concludes
Source: The Sangai Express / Guite/ Zimik

Lamka/Ukhrul/Imphal, October 04 2014 : As a culmination of the wildlife week observance programme, the District Forest Office, CCpur today released several wild creatures, which were handed over by four individuals in response to the department's public appeal, at Hengkot jungle.

A fully grown flying squirrel, three birds, a lone tortoise and a pair of monkeys were the wild creatures released today while a Hornbill has been reserved as its wings has been trimmed and will need months of nurturing before it heads to the wild.

Upbeat on the response his department received from people who kept wild animals as pet, DFO Churachandpur, Thangsuanmung Tombing said he is overjoyed to witness the growing awareness on the need for wild life conservation.

Declaring that the fine October evening is historic, he noted that whatever be the attachment people may have developed during the course of keeping wild animals they can never be part of the human race.

'They belong to the wild and are not part of us,' he said.

Lauding the donors, he said they are pioneers in the district's wildlife conservation.

He also added that his department has chosen Hengkot jungle to free the wild captives as it has faith in the chief and his villagers to protect them.

Chief guest of the event, ADC Chairman Langkhanpau Guite turned emotional on seeking the mother-son duo monkey refusing to part with their captors.

Later in his address he conveyed the desire to understand what the birds will be singing as they left their cages.

It will surely be of joy and praises, he said.

The Additional DC of Churachandpur Maniram Sharma, Assistant Commissioner to DC Krishna Kumar also graced the event and handed over prizes for the painting, quiz and article writing competitions conducted by the Forest Department as part of the week long observance programme.

Except for the monkeys which had a hard time parting with their masters, the other creatures gladly vanished into the wild as their captors freed them from the cages.

The flying squirrel even gave the guests a wow moment as it chose to fly away from their sight.

At the same time, students, teachers, principals, parents and departmental officials attended the two-day awareness campaign on wildlife conservation in connection with the 59th wildlife week celebration at Town Hall, Ukhrul today.

Attending the programme as the chief guest, Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, Modak Hrishikesh highlighted the evil impact of extensive deforestation that has been widely prevalent in Ukhrul district.

"We endow and inherit the rich forest resources from our predecessors, who had judiciously preserved them.

Yet out of voracity and greed, the forest has been exploited.

This has endangered our future generation and our environment has been degraded manifold," Hrisheekesh underlined.

DFO, Ukhrul L Manglem who is also a district wildlife warden administered the pledge for preservation of the vanishing wildlife and dwindling forest.

He urged the students who took part in the campaign today organized by Eastern Forest Division, Ukhrul to take proactive part in spreading the message.

In the meantime, Khatlui Raihing of Blesso Montessori High School was declared the winner of the spot painting competition held in connection with the event while Soshan Zimik of Scholars' Pakshmi High School bagged the first prize in the article writing competition.

L Khanreingam of KTL Hr Sec school was declared the winner of the quiz competition.

The chief guest distributed the prizes to the winners later.

In Chandel, the valedictory function of the wildlife week observance programme was held at JNV Liwa Chaning (Sarei) with RK Amarjit Singh, DWW/DFO Tengnoupal Forest Division and Julie Anal, AC to DC Chandel and N Debala Devi, Principal in-charge of JNV Liwa Chaning as the distinguished guests.

Takhellambam Vivek of JNV Chandel won the article writing competition.

T Siddarth of Pallel HS won the painting competition while Lifeway Christian Academy, Chandel team was adjudged the winner of the quiz competition.

Meanwhile, the People for Animals, Thoubal celebrated World Animal Day and its 3rd foundation day at Karang Island, Loktak Lake, Bishnupur.

The celebration which was held at Karang Primary School was participated by leaders of local, youth clubs, meira paibis and students from various schools of Karang.

Importance of wildlife conservation was thoroughly highlighted to the participants using audio visual aids.

Heisnam Ningthem, member, Ward no 3 Thanga part-1 GP attended the programme as the chief guest while Salam Athoiba Meitei member, Ward no 2, Thanga part-1 GP, Oinam Satyabati Devi member Ward no 1, Thanga part 1 GP and Sub-Inspector Ningthoujam Sobha OC-in- charge Karang PS, Salam Ibohal Headmaster, Karang PS and NK Sub TB Pradhan 6th AR (Post commander Karang) were the guests of honour.

The third 'Greet our Guest' campaign was reactivated by the chief guest, president and guests of honour.

A membership drive of PFA also marked the celebration.

These newly recruited members will deal with wildlife crime like poaching and cruelty to animals in Karang, PFA said in a statement.

The chief guest appealed for protection of wildlife and to show compassion to animals.

The Wildlife Week 2014 celebration was also held at Toubul High School.

The celebration programme was organised by the Divisional Forest Officer, Bishnupur division today.

The celebration function was graced by Additional SP Th Vikramjit, State level environment Impact Assessment Chairman Dr Kh Shamungou, Toubul Gram Panchayat Pradhan Wahengbam (O) Borpati, Kumbi College Principal K Jugeshore and Toubul High School Head Master K Tomba as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Prizes for the quiz, spot painting and article writing competitions were also distributed during the function.

The competitions were to be conducted on September 24 last as a part of the wildlife week observance.

A cash prize of Rs 2000 was also given to Wahengbam Robindro of Ngaikhong Khunou as an acknowledgement and encouragement for his kind act of saving a pregnant deer earlier this year.

Robindro handed over the deer to the Forest Department after he rescued it.

United Builders School, Tamenglong observed the 59th wildlife week celebration at its school premises today.

K Lakshmikanta Sharma, ADM, Tamenglong, Huri Golmei, DFO, Tamenglong, Nehemiah Panmei, director, TAMBA graced the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Later, prizes were conferred on winners of painting, quiz and article writing competitions held on September 30 at United Builder School.

Altogether, 117 students from eight schools of Tamenglong took part.

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