Students urged to protect wildlife

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 9

Forest and environment minister, Th. Shyamkumar today urged the people particularly youths to spread the message on the importance of saving wildlife, maintaining a world without wildlife would inevitably lose its ability to sustain all forms of life due to the complex balance of nature and the inter-dependency of species on one another.

Speaking at the grand finale of 62nd Forest Wildlife Week Celebration today at Manipur State Film Development Society Hall, Palace Gate Shyamkumar said humans cannot survive without wildlife.

He expressed the unhappiness that people are trying to destroy nature by poaching wild animals and birds. “When people heard a sound of birds or animals in they wild they try to hunt them for food and sale,” he said.

The minister said people should be aware of the importance of wildlife.

Expressing his happiness that people started conserving state bird “Nongin” after realising its importance he appealed to the people to stop killing of wild animals and birds as it disturbs ecological balance.

Mass awareness programme is needed especially in hilly regions of the state, to conserve wild animals and birds, Shyamkumar added.

President of the function, additional chief secretary (forest and environment), Shambhu Singh said in the last few decades many wild animals and birds were killed for food and game. But recently in some parts of Senapati and Tamenglong the activity for conservation of wildlife has gained momentum.

He said Manipur-Myanmar border is notorious for smuggling of wildlife parts especially pangolin scales and bile of bear. People should stop smuggling wild animal parts to conserve the wild animals and saving the wildlife should start from the students level, Shambhu added.

Prizes were distributed to the winners of slogan writing and wildlife photography competition. Prizes were also distributed to organisations and individuals for their valuable contributions in conserving the wildlife. A book entitled ‘An Inventory of Animals of Manipur’ co-authored by Dr Kh Samungnou and Dr Gyaneshwori Devi was also released at the function. A short film – ‘Rides of Wildlife’ was screened and collection of photographs on wildlife was also exhibited as part of the function.