KANGPOKPI, September 29: As part of the 60th Wildlife Week Celebration cum Painting, Article Writing and Photography Competition, 2015 under the theme `Protection of Wildlife and their Habitat` Divisional Level Wildlife Week Celebration have also been observed today at Community Hall, Kangpokpi.
The Divisional Level Wildlife Week Celebration here today has been organized by the Divisional Forest Officer, Northern Forest Division, Kangpokpi under the leadership of Robert Sheilam Haokip, DFO & District Wildlife Warden, Northern Forest Division, Kangpokpi.
DK. Thangboi, addl deputy commissioner, Sadar Hills and L. Birahari Singh, MFS (Retd) graced the occasion as chief guest and president respectively while Kh. Bira Singh, MFS (Retd) attended as guest of honour.
Around 100 students from different educational institution within Kangpokpi took part in the Painting and Article writing organized under the theme `Protection of Wildlife and their Habitat` while interested photographers are invited to submit their wildlife photograph for the Photography Competition.
Speaking on the occasion DK. Thangboi lamented Wildlife Week has been observed in all over the country every year mainly in the first week of October with a view to preserved the wildlife of India before adding that the wildlife of our region serves as a natural indicator of the health of our forest ecosystems.
Emphasizing the importance of wildlife protection and its habitat the MCS officer asserted that the large forest blocks that sustain wildlife supports our rural economy, produces clean and clear water for our communities, and maintains the natural beauty that defines the place we call home.
`No man can live without environment`, asserted the MCS officer while adding that animal is also a part of the environment and it is the duty of human being to preserve and protect the wildlife.
He also said that with the well organized of the wildlife week celebration by the forest department in Sadar Hills under DFO the message of wildlife protection and its habitat will be logical to everyone while adding that the message of wildlife protection and its habitat should not only be spread during the celebration but throughout the days, weeks and months in a year.
Robert Sheilam Haokip, Divisional Forest Officer & District Wildlife Warden, Northern Forest Division, Kangpokpi pointed out that Wildlife Week Celebration has been organized with an overall objection of sensitizing the general public on the importance of nature and wildlife and the need for their conservation.
`The weeklong celebration becomes more significant as it coincide with the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the icon of Non-Violence to all forms of life`, lamented the DFO while adding that on this occasion the Prime Minister of India, who is also the Chairman of National Board of Wildlife appeals to all the citizens of the nation to work for conservation of nature and wildlife.
While elucidating the meaning of wildlife L. Birahari, MFS (Retd) said that when wildlife has been protected it will automatically breed environmental stability.
`Do not buy or trade in ban species of flora and fauna and do not keep any ban protected species as pet`, cautioned Kh. Bira Singh, MFS (Retd) while urging all individual to protect wildlife and their habitat.
Apart from student community various CSOs leaders also took part in the occasion.