ENFOGAL continues conservation quest to protect Mrs Hume's Pheasant
Source: The Sangai Express

Ukhrul, September 23 2024: Around 60 students took part in the conservation efforts organized by Environmental Force at Grass Root Level (ENFOGAL) to raise awareness about the conservation of Mrs Hume's Pheasant (Nongin) on September 21 at Jessami village, Ukhrul.

The conservation program focused on community empowerment, habitat preservation, and population monitoring to safeguard the endangered Mrs Hume's Pheasant at Jessami's Mrs Hume's Pheasant Community Reserve, reportedly the only known reserve in the world where Mrs Hume's Pheasant or Nongin can roost and breed in the care and protection of the village community.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from around 60 students, 10 school staff and 8 Jessami Student Union Village.

Three schools including, Gems School, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) and Jessami Higher Secondary School were represented with their principals and teachers joining the initiative.

During the event, participants engaged in three key activities, namely, birdwatching, biodiversity assessment and cleanup drive.

Participants used binoculars and the BirdNet App to identify approximately ten bird species.

As part of biodiversity assessment, students conducted an assessment using the PlantNet App to identify various plant species.

The event concluded with a cleanup of the reserve site, symbolizing a unified effort towards sustaining a healthy habitat for Mrs Hume's Pheasant.

As per the assessment of the team, sightings of juvenile birds reported by travelers, forest guards, and local villagers indicated a gradual increase in the population of Nongin in the area.

Patrick Shangh, project director of ENFOGAL and Dr Weyepe N Mekrisuh, a geologist and native of Jessami were also present on the occasion.

Comment