Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT, Aug 12: In a bid to revive the rapidly declining wildlife population in the region due to excessive hunting practices, Aohali village of Mebo Sub-Division in East Siang District officially declared to become a Zero Hunting village today.
On the momentous occasion, the people of Aohali pledged to preserve the wildlife by stopping any form of hunting, trapping etc., in the vicinity.
The village Head Gaon Burah, Sunary Umbrey and village Secretary, Dinesh Mepola led declaration programme.
Speaking on the occasion, IMCLS President, Dr Ista Pulu and General Secretary Er. Ere Linggi said that the Idu Mishmi communities living in the region have coexisted with nature and wildlife. “In our tradition we treated Tigers as our brothers and Monkeys as our sisters due to which hunting was minimal among the Idu Mishmi communities in comparison to other tribes of the state. But due to rampant hunting prevailing in the area, wildlife population has significantly decreased which is a serious concern for the ecological balance and healthy environment”, Pulu said.
Village HGB Umbrey and secretary Mepola has also appealed to the entire fellow citizen dwelling around and in the district to support the initiative of the Aohali village to preserve and protect the wildlife population including the forest timbers which are being rampantly damaged in recent years thereby directly and indirectly affecting the mankind and its survival. Village heads of Aohali and IMCLS also appealed the forest and wildlife department of the state and the district to support the village in their endeavour to keep the village jurisdiction free of hunting activities.
ADC Mebo, Sibo Passing appreciated the initiative and hoped that such a noble step from the village will inspire other villagers also. 
“I have personally witnessed the side effects and bad repercussions of hunting in our Adi community,” he said. As an administration head of Mebo Sub-Division, Passing also assured to extend all support to the Aohali villagers in their endeavour.
Aohali village is the only village of Idu Mishmi tribe in East Siang District located on the border of East Siang and Lower Dibang valley district.
ADC Mebo, Passing said that, Aohali will be the first in the state to officially declare as zero hunting village. On the other hand, IMCLS President, Dr. Ista Pulu went on saying that, Aohali will perhaps be the first in India among the tribal villages, because every tribal community are hunters by tradition. 

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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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