IMPHAL, October 10: The concluding function of the 58th Wildlife Week, 2013 was held today at Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba.
Govindas Konthoujam, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Sericulture, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Manipur; Laishram Nandakumar Singh, MLA, Uripok Assembly Constituency; and AK Rana, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Govt. of Manipur attended the function as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
In his key note address, Th Ibobi Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden, Manipur elaborated that the Wildlife Week celebration started in the first week of October, 1985 and thereafter continued annually – in order to spread awareness to all concerned as well as the general public to conserve wildlife. He elaborated on the important role played by the eco-system and wildlife. The essence of celebrating the week is to impart to the general public especially the younger generation including students to have the zeal to conserve wildlife, he observed.
AK Rana stated that without conservation of forests, the protection of wildlife is impossible. He also stated that the North East India especially states like Manipur play an important role in contributing to the total forests areas and wildlife of the entire country.
The current budget allocated for conservation of forests and wildlife is too meagre to meet the expected goal, he observed before adding that the present men-power is not enough for such activities.
Moreover, upto date trainings for the forest personnel and adequate resources are required, he continued.
Eco-development activities in and around wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are required, moreover, the local people of the concerned areas should also be trained to act as guides and local forest guards too, he said before concluding with a declaration that from next year onwards wildlife week will be celebrated in each district headquarters of Manipur.
Govindas Konthoujam stated that it would be more useful and significant if wildlife weeks and wildlife awareness programmes are organised in the hill areas too. He lamented the fact that just like wildlife; personnel of the forest department are also dwindling.
He suggested for recruitment of more personnel for the forest department, as by 2017 there would be only about 170-180 personnel working after a major retirement of a total 500 current existing field staff.
Laishram Nandakumar Singh maintained that education about the conservation of wildlife and forest is necessary. The current situation of the deteriorating forests and wildlife could only be saved by sincere and heartfelt human intervention.
As part of the function, a pledge to protect, conserve and preserve wildlife and forest has been taken by all present in the function. Also a message by the Prime Minister of India was read out by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Manipur. Thereafter, prizes for the State Level Essay and Drawing Competition, and Wildlife Photo Competition were distributed to the winners.