Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT, Nov 10: In an initiative to protect the wild elephants from being killed or harmed by men at the time of man-elephant conflict during crop raids,  the D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, Pasighat Division conducted an awareness programme at Mer village under Mebo Sub-Division on Friday under the theme-“Hathi Mera Sathi”.
During the  programme, villagers were sensitized on importance of wildlife, especially elephants for over all environmental balance. Speaking on the sidelines,  Range Officer, Sibiyamukh Range, D. Koyu said that, elephants are schedule-I species and are well protected under Wildlife Protection Acts. The killing of elephant will invite serious action and villagers need to co-operate with  the forest and wildlife department to protect the elephants, added Koyu.
All Bogong Students’ Union, President, Lungkang Ering also spoke on the occasion and appealed the public not to kill or harm elephants during any man-elephant conflict.

Divisional Forest Officer, D. Ering WL Sanctuary, Tasang Taga said that, the Mer village and its area falls under Dibru Soikhowa National Park (Assam) and D. Ering WL Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh) elephant corridors due to which repeated cases of crop raids are reported in these parts of the region. 

On the request of villagers to provide EV fencing for agricultural lands, Taga said that state government does not have such provisions at the moment, however he assured to approach other agencies like WTI, WWF etc to help the villagers from Jumbo menace. 
“I am glad that, Mer villagers are very friendly to elephants and do not harm them while chasing them. In future also we will help villagers by providing firecrackers and other necessary help including compensation of crop damages/raids”, added Taga.
Meanwhile, quoting the decision and approval given by State Board for Wildlife under Chairmanship of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Maksam Tayeng, Member, State Board for Wildlife, Government of Arunachal Pradesh said that, villagers needn’t kill elephants as state government has now approved enhanced funds for compensating for  crop damages including the loss of life and disability caused (of arms, legs and other body parts).
During the awareness programme, Gaon Buras, public leaders and all general public took active participation. Later fire crackers were also handed over to the villagers to drive away elephants safely without using guns. 

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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
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