Wildlife conservation efforts without taking into confidence peripheral communities have failed to yield any result thus far. There are myriad reasons for this but foremost is the fact that these reserves are coming up right at the heart of which was once considered community land including jungles which provided all the basic requirements for the natives. Being largely dependent on forests for food and shelter, there is an inherent apprehension that their very survival is at stake.

While the forest and wildlife department are raking their brains on ways to tackle the problem, the Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve, a non-governmental organisation which partnered with the Forest Department since 2016 in protecting and conserving this 17sq kms area adjoining the famed Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in West Kameng has bagged the prestigious National Biodiversity Award for its endeavour in conserving the rare wildlife resources in the area, a first in the state.

The above example is testimony to the fact that conservation efforts can receive a huge boost if locals are taken into confidence and made stakeholders.

 Renowned for its rich plant and animal species, Arunachal is under scanner not just by the governments at the state and the Centre but also by nature-loving organizations and individuals.

There are only few pockets across the world today which can be termed as the last bastions of bio-diversity. Therefore, safeguarding them becomes even more pertinent.

On a closer look the uncooperative attitude of the peripheral communities is also not wrong. Ignorant to conservation efforts, they simply hold on to the knowledge of loss of precious land rich in plant and animal cover. Often the real or perceived high-handedness or stance of forest officials also tends to create more stand-off. Therefore, the state forest department must strive to strike a rapport with communities to see real changes in the ground. What populations living around protected areas require is management strategies to balance conservation goals and livelihood needs. For conservation efforts to bear fruit, locally based strategies rather than centralised approaches must be adopted which are likely to be more effective.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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