Biodiversity Conservation Area comes under threat from hunters

Community efforts have led to increase in wildlife in Longleng

A community biodiversity conservation area set up as an asylum for wildlife and aquatic species, under the guardianship of three environmentally conscious villages in Longleng district, is striving to survive in the face of threats from unscrupulous hunters and poachers of neighboring villages and beyond.

The Yaongyimchen Community Biodiveristy Conservation Area (YCBCA) which was officially launched during its student’s golden jubilee in December, 2012 is currently maintained by the Yaongyimchen, Alayong and Sanglu Village Council under a committee set up by the name Lemsachenlok. Alayong and Sanglu are two new villages carved from Yaongyimchen.

Since 2010, the Yaongyimchen villagers began conserving the YCBCA which covers the forest areas of Nyangchi, Owau, Awakung, Akching and Mangkoyo villages and the Dula, Duthet, Shiung and Okyong rivers.

However, what comes as a threat to the wild species in the conserved area is the poaching and killing of wildlife by the bordering villages.

“Though efforts are being made to sentisize other villages regarding the conservation of forest and wildlife, without proper protection and fencing of the area, the problem will not be solved,” the guardians of the conservation area pointed out.

“Wild animals and birds were abundant during the days of our forefathers. But the invention of guns has led to the decrease in the wild species in staggering numbers. We are working really hard in conserving the animals and birds; and to see them roam about even in the village areas, it gives us a sense of happiness. It is the fruit of our labour,” Masamokba, Council Chairman of Sanglu village said.

Another major issue faced by the community is that most of the forest area which is the main source of livelihood for the villagers has been given over for community development and now they have very limited land for their livelihood sustainability.

This has put in a big challenge to Lemsachenlok committee to prove to the community that their strenuous initiative and labour is worth investing in.

Increase in wildlife

The YCBCA has been in the news particularly because of the roosting of Amur Falcons since 2012. However in the recent years the area has not only seen an increase in the roosting of the Amur Falcons but also an increase in other wildlife species.

The area is considered not only an asylum for wildlife and aquatic species, but also hosts a number of historical and monumental resources like a natural vegetation tunnel leading to the bio-diversity conserved area. This also makes it an eco-tourism hotspot.

What stands out about this bio-diversity area is that the YCBCA have not received any assistance from any NGOs, departments or the Nagaland State Government to facilitate their effort in maintaining the conserved area.

The community has also constructed a local watch tower which provides a clean view of the conservation area as well as the Amur Falcon roosting sites. “If only the tower can be replaced by permanent structure, we will not have to work every year reconstructing the tower,” Yongpong wistfully stated.

Nuklu Phom, Executive Secretary, Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA), who is also the chairman of Lemsachenlok, stated, “Even without any financial assistance from any sector, the community has been tirelessly working and undertaking bio-diversity initiatives. If only the community is empowered through some projects, the bio-diversity initiatives can be one of the best in the country.”

PBCA is actively working towards a holistic development of the people and that churches can act as a platform towards bringing all round change and development including in environmental aspects in society, he added.

Published at Nagaland Post on May 23, 2017