Dr. Ramita Sougrakpam
Department of Zoology
North-East India is one of the biodiversity hotspots of India and Nagaland considered as rich in the plant and animal species diversity as 20 percent of the total land area of the state is covered with wooded forest. The evergreen tropical and the sub-tropical forests that grow Alder (state tree), Wild cherry, Oak, Palms, Bamboos, Shrubs Lantena camera, Rhododendron, Grasses like Ground Ivy, Various types of Fern, Orchids, Ghost pepper, one of the hottest chillis in the world are the pride of the state. The animals Pangolins, Porcupines, Monkeys, Barking deer, Wild boar, Bush, Mithun (state animal), Frogs, Fishes, Flying squirrel, Squirrel, Silkworm larvae, Variety of Birds, Great Indian Hornbill, Trapogans, Blyth's tragopan (state bird) are found here in our wild. Of the mere 2500 tragopans sighted in the world, Dzukou valley is known for the natural habitat of more than 1,000. Common available fishes are Chocolate Mahseer (state fish), Trout etc. make the wild life rich and healthy.
Hunting as a cultural activity of the communities here in Nagaland is served to kill wild animals that prey upon domestic and wild animals or an attempt to destroy animals seen by humans as competition for resources such as water or forage. According to wildlife management, hunting is claimed as an important tool in managing populations that might exceed the carrying capacity of a particular habitat and threaten the well-being of other species, or, in some instances, damage human health or safety. However, in most circumstances carrying capacity is determined by combination habitat and food availability, and hunting for 'population control' has no effect on the annual population of species. In other way it can increase the population of predators resulting in excess neighboring migrations into an area, thus artificially increasing the population.
As we look around the world with regard to laws, rules and regulations on hunting, it is seen that in the United States, wildlife managers play an important role for hunting regulatory and licensing bodies, where they help to set rules on the number, manner and conditions in which animals may be hunted. Tools that are frequently used to control harvest are bag limits that how many animals of a given species or group of species can be killed, although there are often species for which bag limits do not apply; season closures is a time during which hunting an animal of a given species is contrary to law; Illegal hunting and harvesting of wild species contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management is called poaching; gear restrictions such as archery - only are becoming increasingly popular in an effort to reduce hunter success rates. In early 2017, the government of Kazakhstan introduced a ban on spring hunting. One year on, Danara Zharbolova reflects on the need for this decision and the importance as to protect the wild life, it is a lesson for the people of northeast to adapt to the decisions to promote and protect wild life in the northeast of India.
In the fall of 2012, the people of our northeastern states, which is known for its hunting traditions, killed about 150,000 federally protected Amur falcons, the highest number recorded in India, as the birds made their annual flight from Siberia at the end of October to stay in the Doyang reservoir for the month of November on their way to southern Africa. In the background and tradition of hunting, it is time to pause and reflect on the need to preserve and promote the living species that are unique and special to Nagaland and to Northeast. As we know we have had this habit of hunting for valor and strength, for prestige and power, time has to rethink and change the attitudes of hunting in the wake of extinct of fauna from our land. The sport of hunting raises serious social concerns and it needs to be studied for a holistic living in the wake of environmental protection. Hunting often remained as a part of human culture where the environment and social conditions allowed. Though hunting is considered as part of the Naga culture, it is not necessarily a tradition that defines the community. However now in these modern days many communities, still continue to engage in hunting that does not promote wildlife protection and it is a serious concern among the people.
With great concern, efforts were made from 2013 to change in the hunting habits of people in Nagaland and to promote wild life as the sanctuaries are created for the life of the birds and animals in the state. However, this noble venture needs constant and consistent support of the people who will preserve and promote wild life as the flora and fauna are part and parcel of human living in the society and they are the creation of the creator. The right to exist with human beings as was intended by the creator. It will be a noble step that we with combine effort make the migratory route is safe for the Amur falcons.
Now is the crucial time which requires certain combine steps, in order to stop the over-exploitation of the state’s indigenous species whatever is left in the wild to conserve for our future. I would like to attract and appeal the attention of the people especially the youth of Nagaland that if we continue with the no rules and regulations in hunting our biodiversity is going to be extinct in the future soon. I conclude with these questions for our reflection and action. How many of us have seen the Great Indian Hornbill in Wild? How many of us have seen the Mithun in wild? Which is the pride of the state? I request everyone to think and take up individual initiatives to conserve our diminishing wildlife.
