As was pointed out in this column yesterday, both the police and the Wildlife Division of the Forest Department took cognizance of the gruesome treatment and killing of a Great Indian Hornbill in Bhandari, Wokha.
The immediate intervention of the authorities in this particular case is appreciated and it is hoped that the fullest extent of the law would be applied so that not only the culprits are punished befittingly but their punishment also goes as a deterrent for others.
However, this incident has also brought to light that there is still lack of awareness among the public on the importance of wildlife conservation and protection as well as wildlife laws. It is possible that the Hornbill killers of Bhandari were not even aware of the wildlife law.
Therefore, concerted efforts must be made to create as much awareness as possible among the people about the importance of conservation as well as the laws all over Nagaland. Further, it is observed that effective execution of law cannot be possible without greater awareness among the people.
While implementing laws rests with the authorities, generating awareness and sensitization should rest with all responsible organizations and individuals. The local churches, student bodies, village councils and other mass based organizations must be encouraged to lead from the front.
Success of conservation efforts, just like waste issues, generally is about sensitization among the masses and choices that people make. It is pertinent to recall here how Nagaland attracted widespread condemnation for netting and killing lakhs of Amur Falcons in 2012.
It took us an embarrassing situation to teach us a lesson. That embarrassment also triggered protection of the flying visitors and we scripted an unparalleled success story, even earning us the sobriquet ‘Amur Falcon Capital of the World’. This time, it was just one Hornbill bird but judging by the furor the video clip created among citizens, it is hoped that nobody will make such a mistake again.
Not just the Hornbill but all birds and wildlife need to be protected. But the birds and wildlife need habitat. Even the migratory birds need a natural environment to roost. Unfortunately, our forests are fast degrading. Without forests, all our sensitization and awareness campaigns on protection of wildlife would be in vain.
Therefore, protection of wildlife and conservation of the natural environment should go hand in hand. Nagaland has a total geographical area of 16,579 sq kms out of which 1273 sq kms are identified as dense forests. Mokokchung, with a geographical area of 1615 sq kms has a mere 1.89 sq kms of dense forest.
To attract the Hornbill as well as other migratory birds, and for the native birds to thrive, we need forests. Can Mokokchung commit to double the existing dense forest cover area in the next 20 years?