Senapati denizens urged to protect forests, wildlife
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, May 15 2025: Senapati Forest Division organised an awareness programme on 'Forest conservation, forest fire and forest wildlife' at the ADC conference hall, here on Thursday with Sericulture, Horticulture & Soil Conservation commissioner Thaithuilung Pamei as chief guest, Senapati additional SP Thangkhochon Haokip as guest of honour and Senapati ADC CEO Adahrii Maheo as special invitee.

Delivering the welcome address, Senapati divisional forest officer (DFO) Shanngam S stated that programme aims to sensitise Senapati denizens on the importance of forests and the role citizens in protecting the forests and wildlife.

Senapati denizens urged to protect forests, wildlife

Pointing out that forests are crucial ecosystems that support biodiversity, regulate climate and provide livelihood to tribals, the DFO expressed concern that the forest cover in Senapati district is facing multiple threats due to deforestation, forest fire, degradation and climate change, all impacting biodiversity, ecosystem services like climate regulation, carbon sequestration, water security, etc.

Calling upon the citizens to take action to protect the forests and wildlife before it is too late, Shanngam S also stressed the need for collective efforts from government agencies, NGOs, CSOs, village leaders and individuals to protect the forests for the future generations.

In his address, ASP Thangkhochon reflected on legal aspects of poppy cultivation, stating that the district police together with the district administration and forest department had destroyed vast tract of poppy fields, made arrests and filed charge-sheets resulting in some convicted persons serving jail term.

Specifying that Section 15 of the NDPS Act deals with punishment for poppy planters and opium peddlers, the police officer cautioned that anything that is not permitted can be considered as an offence.

Speaking at the event, CEO Adahrii Maheo recalled that the forefathers lived in the forest and were a part of the forest and wildlife.

As the society, the culture and the identity of people of the region are related with the forest and its flora and fauna of the region, preserving the forest should be the responsibility of all, said the CEO, adding that over exploitation of the forest resources would be perilous for all.

Advising the younger generation to access Google Earth for understanding the scale of changes taking place in the forest landscape, Adahrii Maheo urged all concerned to contribute their mite preserving the forest.

He specifically called upon NGOs and village leaders to join hands in protecting the forest, preventing forest fire and preserving the wildlife.

Speaking as the chief guest, T Pamei dwelt on the ill effects of climate change.

If one is not well aware of climate change, all human beings will be wiped out, he said while pointing to the importance and criticality on conservation of forest, control of forest fire and preservation of forest wildlife.

The chief guest termed the programme great opportunity for a collective resolve to safeguard the environment.

As a part of the programme income generating livelihood inputs were distributed to JFMC beneficiaries under the Green India Mission.

Thaithuilung Pamei also spoke on 'Forest conservation and forest fire' in a technical session, emphasising urgent need to address global warming, climate change, rampant hunting, deforestation, and forest fires affecting Senapati district.

He encouraged sustainable alternatives to traditional jhum cultivation through planting fruit-bearing trees, citing successful examples like Kacha lemon (Ukhrul), Sera Khung black rice and Tamenglong orange (GI-tagged).

He urged the public to avoid hunting during the breeding seasons, stop harmful fishing practices such as using batteries and bleaching powder, but to adopt responsible and traditional methods for sustainability.

The commissioner also urged the village leaders and CSOs to carry out conservation efforts at the grassroots level and to explore potential for promoting eco-tourism as a sustainable livelihood in the district.

As one of the resource persons, Siipunii Jackson noted that human greed and moral corruption have led to the degradation of nature and the threat to biodiversity.

He highlighted habitat loss, overexploitation and unsustainable land-use - such as poppy and marijuana cultivation - as key causes of environmental decline.

The programme was also attended by chairmen and secretaries of different villages across the district along with CSOs and NGOs.