PFA calls for safeguard of wildlife amid habitat loss
Source: Chronicle News Service / Sagolsem Bigyan

Imphal, October 24 2024: Amid increasing instances of wild animals and reptiles encroaching into human settlements due to habitat loss, People for Animals (PFA), Manipur has urged the public to protect, not harm, these creatures.

Wild animals play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance and protecting the environment, yet they are often considered dreadful and mistreated when they stray into human settlements.

PFA Manipur managing trustee Lourembam Biswajeet, in an exclusive talk with The People's Chronicle, highlighted the need to protect wildlife, stating that wildlife is the backbone of the environment and integral part of forests, rivers, lakes, and the ecosystem.

Without them, humans cannot exist.

While emphasising that as superior beings humans have the responsibility to protect these creatures instead of killing or capturing them, he urged the public to contact PFA for assistance if any wild animal is found in their vicinity, so that it can be safely rescued and returned to its natural habitat.

Although the government has made efforts towards environmental conservation, Biswajeet pointed out that there is still no wildlife rescue home in the state.

Despite several appeals to the government, no initiatives have been taken.

The PFA state unit has been advocating for the establishment of such facilities for years but without success.

PFA Manipur, a unit of the national PEA organisation founded by Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, was formed in October 2011 with only eight members but now boasts around 30 registered members, along with thousands of informers, supporters, and well-wishers.

Most members include social workers, wildlife researchers, veterinary doctors, and students, with some completing PhDs in areas related to reptiles like snakes and lizards.

PFA Manipur has been actively working for the past 13 years, rescuing and protecting wildlife across the state, he related.

According to Biswajeet, the organisation's first wildlife rescue was a Red Billed Blue Magpie, a bird species that accidentally entered a house in Kakching Ningthou Leikai.

At the time, the group did not have its own vehicle and hired a van for Rs 500 to rescue the bird.

The bird was initially mistaken for the Taiwan Blue Magpie, Taiwan's national bird, leading PFA to consult with the Chinese Wild Bird Federation and Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm its identity, he recalled.

Since then, PFA Manipur has rescued thousands of animals, birds, reptiles, and lizards from different parts of the state.

"With no designated rescue home, the organisation remodelled a traditional 'Shangoi' (outhouse) at Thoubal Wangma-taba Sorok Makha to an animal shelter.

PFA Manipur also cracked down on poaching activities, particularly bird trapping, with police assistance," he disclosed, adding that offenders are penalised with fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 by the forest department as per existing law.

Rescued animals, including thousands of frogs captured for sale, are released back into the wild with the help of the forest department.

PFA has also rescued and released pythons in deep forest areas and rehabilitated young animals and birds before returning them to their habitats, he further recounted.

The managing trustee also explained that under the Wildlife Protection Act no individual or organisation is allowed to capture, transport, rear, or treat a wildlife animal, even for the purpose of rescue and protection, without prior permission from the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI).

After persistent efforts, in 2017, the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) granted permission to PFA Manipur to open a transit shelter for rescued animals, in consultation with the state's chief wildlife warden.

He, however, lamented that efforts to secure government land for a permanent wildlife rescue home have not been successful.

PFA has also played a leading role in the state's first Amur Falcon conservation efforts in Tamenglong district and continues to organise awareness sessions to educate the public on the importance of wildlife conservation.

In recognition of the tireless efforts, PFA Manipur was honoured multiple times with annual wildlife protection awards by the state's forest department during Wildlife Week celebrations, he noted.

Beyond wildlife protection, Bishwajeet said, PFA Manipur is also involved in forest conservation, having participated in fire rescue operations in Dzuko Valley and Mt Iso, organised tree plantation drives, and have been active in the conservation of Loktak Lake.

The organisation is also advocating for decommissioning of the Loktak Hydro Electric Project of NHPC.

PFA's scope of work extends to domestic animals as well as its members have rescued and treated numerous injured horses, pulled up negligent owners, and cracked down on illegal cockfighting rings and housie draws where poultry birds are put up as prizes.

With assistance of the police, they have also carried out operations against sale of dogs for meat, resulting in arrests and penalties.

In one such case, PFA's efforts led to the Manipur High Court mandating the creation of an Animal Welfare Board and an animal shelter at Porompat, although the shelter is still in its formative stages, he informed.

One of the most recent rescues by PFA involved using a crane from the Manipur Fire Service to save a cat stranded in a tall tree, earning them praise from the public.

In 2017, the then MP Dr Thokchom Meinya purchased an animal ambulance for PFA Manipur using his local area development fund.

Despite their extensive work, PFA Manipur operates without significant support from either the state or Central government.

Biswajeet stressed the need for government assistance to help the organisation function more effectively in its mission to protect wildlife and conserve the environment.

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