Dimapur, January 30 (MExN): ‘Ait’ Biodiversity Reserve at Akomen Village under Mokokchung district was inaugurated on January 28 by Er. T Saku Aier, parliamentary secretary, housing, labour and employment. The Ait Biodiversity Reserve was oragnised and sponsored by Human Touch (HT), a government registered NGO.
Aier in his speech called upon the villagers to be a responsible citizen and work actively towards the conservation of flora and fauna which are found in abundance within the reserve. He stressed on the need for the village community to be sensitized about some rare animals which are speculated to be found within the reserve. He also lauded the effort of the Human Touch members for being good visionaries and for working tirelessly for conservation of the rich biodiversity.
The main speaker of the programme, DFO Mokokchung, Tashi Ao explained in detail the concept of biodiversity and spoke on various aspects and works to be done related to it. He particularly stressed on the need for proper documentation and recoding of various rare animals so as to nationalize it officially. Meanwhile, he also urged the village community to abstain from rampant hunting and other illegal activities.
Human Touch, chairman, Meren Imchen in his speech said that ‘Ait’ in Ao dialect means a place where all animals and birds come to drink salt water and mud. He said that endangered animal like Black Panther and Hollock Gibbon are speculated to be found in the biodiversity reserve besides other animals and birds such as Green Pigeon, Amur Falcon (Local), and Jungle Fowls, various species of Deer, Stag, and Amphibian etc are found in abundance within the reserve.
The programme was chaired by Human Touch, member Lima Longchar and short speeches by Lirmen Senso Mungdang, village council members of Lirmen, Tsuremmen and Akumen villages.
