Dimapur, October 7 (MExN): The 66th Wildlife Week 2020 was celebrated at Intanki National Park (INP) on the theme, ‘RoaR (Roar and Revive) - Exploring the Human-Animal Relationships’ on October 6.
A press release issued by Intanki National Park, Director, Aochuba T stated that the event was marked by marathon race, painting competition, photography competition and debate competition on the topic, ‘Should tiger be re-introduced at Intanki National Park?’
Mhonbemo Ngullie, IFS, Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland graced the event as the chief guest. Ngullie in his address stated that India is one of the mega bio-diversity hot spots of the world accounting for 7-8% of the species of the world with just 2.4% of the land area, including 91,000 species of animals, 45,500 species of plants that has been documented in its ten bio-geographic regions. It is further estimated that 4 lakh species may exist in the country which still need to be recorded and described.
There are now 107 notified Community Conserved Areas (CCA) in the state as on September 2020 which is an effort to protect our wildlife and give refuge to the animals due to increasing deforestation and loss of habitat of wildlife, which is the highest number for any state in the country, he added.
Further, in his speech he stated that Intanki National Park, the only National Park in Nagaland has several advantages because of the proximity with the Dimapur- The Gate Way of Nagaland ,for exploiting the park as hub for eco-tourism for livelihood and income generating activities of the people.
A recent camera trap study in 2018 during the All India Tiger estimation 2018 exercise also captured several species such as Leopard, Clouded Leopard, The Indian Guar, marbled cat, different species of civet cats, wild dogs (Dhole) elephants, pheasants etc., the presence of such large varieties of wildlife makes it a worthwhile to conserve and protect the National Park for future generations.
He concluded by saying that it has become imperative for both government and the people to strive together to protect and conserve our floral and faunal diversity of the state for future generation and their children to enjoy, cherish and live alongside kindly.
Earlier, Intanki National Park, Director, Aochuba T in his keynote address stated that wildlife week has been observed all over India since 1954 under the aegis of the National Board of Wildlife with a clear object to create awareness about the wildlife and to discuss and identify the issues involved in the protection and conservation of our myriad wild floral and faunal diversity.
