Ishok village bans hunting of Hog Deer, forms Wildlife Protection Committee
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, July 04 2026: In a major step towards wildlife conservation, residents of Ishok village in Bishnupur district have imposed a complete ban on the hunting and killing of Kharsa (Hog Deer) and other wild animals in the village and its surrounding areas to help protect the endangered species.

The decision was taken during a stakeholders' meeting held at Chingphu Ningthou Shembi Leima Haraobung, Ishok, on Saturday.

The programme was jointly organised by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Bishnupur Branch; Ishok Apunba Club; Chingphu Ningthou Shembi Leima Thougal Lup, Ishok; Lamyanbi Village Level Federation (VLF); Chhayatap Foundation; Ishok Gram Panchayat; and the Bishnupur Forest Division.

The meeting was attended by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Waikhom Romabai, Ishok Gram Panchayat Pradhan Warepam Deben, IRCS Bishnupur Secretary Dr Huidrom Romen, Chingphu Ningthou Shembi Leima Thougal Lup Secretary Huidrom Inakhunba, Ishok Apunba Club representative Huidrom Somorjit and other stakeholders.

Speakers at the meeting stressed the urgent need to conserve the Hog Deer, a species facing the threat of extinction and listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, by putting an end to hunting and poaching in the area.

To strengthen conservation efforts, an Ishok Apunba Wildlife Protection Committee was constituted to monitor wildlife habitats, prevent illegal hunting and coordinate with the Forest Department.

Following detailed deliberations, the meeting adopted nine resolutions, including a complete prohibition on hunting and killing of hog deer and other wildlife in the agricultural fields and wetland areas of Jawa Lamjao, Ngakratubi, Turen Amanbi and other locations on the southern side of Ishok village.

Under the resolutions, anyone found hunting or killing hog deer or other protected wildlife will be liable to a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and will also be handed over to the Forest Department for legal action.

Those found damaging wildlife habitats or related properties will face additional penalties.

The meeting also resolved to bar outsiders involved in poaching from entering Ishok village.

Village residents found violating the resolutions will face expulsion from the locality and be handed over to the Forest Department for prosecution under the law.

Dog owners were instructed not to allow their pets to stray into wildlife habitats such as Mutum Yangbi, Jawa Lamjao and Ngakratubi.

If a dog attacks or kills a hog deer, its owner will be liable to pay a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.

The newly formed committee will conduct regular patrols in vulnerable areas to identify poachers and ensure strict enforcement of the resolutions in coordination with the Forest Department.

The initiative aims to safeguard the hog deer population and promote longterm conservation of wildlife in the region.

Comment