Preservation of Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary requires public cooperation

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 25, 2021

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden, Meghalaya HC Chaudhary, IFS on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed Office building for Khaddum Wildlife Beat Office.

The inauguration function were held in the presence Divisional Forest Officer, Jaintia Hills Wildlife Division, Heisa Lato, MFS, S. Law, Range Forest Officer, Umkiang Wildlife Range, F. Passah, Range Forest Officer, Jowai Wildlife Range, the Headman and Secretary of Khaddum Village, the Waheh Shnong of Lum Myrli Village and the Teachers and Students from three different Schools within Khaddum Village.

The office building was constructed from the scheme Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, located inside the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary near Khaddum Village in East Jaintia Hills District and constructed with the purpose of strengthening the protection of Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary and in improving the livelihood of the people in the fringe villages.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, HC Chaudhary, IFS stated that the area is blessed with the natural beauty in the form of Rivers, Rocks, Caves, Waterfall, etc. and this natural beauty has the potential of attracting high end tourists from different part of the world which can help in improving the livelihood of the local people. The Chief Wildlife Warden sought cooperation of local communities in protection and conservation of wildlife and their habitat and also stated that the Department is trying its best in finding ways to improve the livelihood of the people living in the fringe of the sanctuary by providing alternate livelihood activities like handloom, bee keeping, etc. and the Department will assist in branding the products of the local people.

Heisa Lato, MFS in her speech stated that the wildlife and their habitat cannot be protected unless the people in the fringe villages take active part towards conservation. She expressed her happiness over the improvement in the cooperation received by the Office from the residents of Khaddum village in protecting the wildlife and their habitat in Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary and expect to receive more cooperation in future.

The Headman of Khaddum village Ruota Khawbung, informed that the people of Khaddum village are very poor and depends on various activities for their livelihood. He also stated that they are taking initiative at village level to make the people understand about the importance of protecting and conserving the wildlife in order to stop poaching and also requested the Wildlife Wing to provide alternate livelihood for the people in order to help the people meet their requirements.

Prior to the inauguration of the Beat Office on Friday, Drawing and Painting Competition was conducted to create awareness to the school students on wildlife available in our district and our state as a whole to make students aware about the need of protecting and conserving our wildlife.

Altogether, 29 students from three different schools took part actively in the competitions and the prizes for the winners were distributed on the day of the inauguration of the Office building.