Shirui villagers ban hunting, CM commends
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 05 2023:
In an exemplary move aimed at safeguarding biodiversity and protecting wildlife, residents of Shirui village in Ukhrul district have taken a bold step by imposing a total ban on hunting and killing of animals and birds in areas under their jurisdiction.
The decision to implement the ban was formally conveyed to the Divisional Forest Officer of Ukhrul on October 17 by the headmen of Shirui Ato and Aze.
Along with the ban, they made a special request to the forest department for provision of a high-quality drone, specifically small or medium-sized to assist in carrying out effec five and efficient biodiversity conservation efforts.
The significance of this initiative has not gone unnoticed, as chief minister N Biren has lauded the people of Shirui village for their outstanding efforts.
"For the first time in Manipur, the people of Shirui village have decided to completely ban hunting and killing of animals and birds within their jurisdiction.
It is a remarkable step towards the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of our precious wildlife.
I express my heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding initiative taken by the people of Shirui village.
Such actions set an example for the entire state of Manipur and beyond," CM Birep wrote on X.The ban on killing and hunting of animal and birds comes at a time when forest officials and villagers of Tamenglong district have stepped up to protect Amur falcons, their winged guests.
About 93 km from Imphal, Shirui, one of the key tourist spots of the state, is famous for its beautiful and rare Shirui Lily, which grows only in Shirui mountain peaks.
Britisher Frank Kingdon Ward had in 1948 discovered the Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae).
The beautiful flower blooms in the month of May and June and in 1989 the state government had declared Shirui Lily as the state flower.
Although Wildlife Protection Act 1972 prohibits hunting of any wild animal specified in Schedules of the Act, effectiveness of such a prohibition is doubtful without the support of local villagers.