GUWAHATI:
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, on April 23, said that the ‘Airgun Surrender Abhiyan’ of the state forest, environment and climate change department has received exceptional response from the people of the state.
Stating that many people have voluntarily surrendered their guns used for hunting under the mission, Khandu said, “This in turn has resulted in a steady rise of bird population across the state.”
The chief minister was speaking at the inauguration of the 2nd edition of the Eagle Nest Birding Festival open at Oaktum Thongre village in West Kameng district and appealed to the organisers to push the festival as an event connected to nature without disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the region.
“Please ensure that this Eagle Nest Birding Festival is truly connected to nature devoid of loud music, cultural programs and pollution,” he said, informing that Arunachal Pradesh is home to more than 500 species of birds, of which 471 are found in Eagle Nest Wildlife sanctuary alone.
He assured to officially declare the festival as a calendar event of the state government and asked the authorities to submit a proposal in this regard after finalising a date for the event.
He hailed the people of West Kameng residing in the periphery of the sanctuary for preserving the bird species for ages through community mobilisations. He expressed optimism that the creation of the Tukpon and Sungkhit Community Reserves will further help in preserving wildlife in the area.
Khandu also unveiled two community reserves – Tukpon and Sungkhit – having an area of 18 and 25 sq km, respectively, donated by the villagers, which will be preserved and used by the community members for the promotion of tourism in the area.
Khandu also lauded the members of the Sherdukpen community inhabiting the Shergaon valley for the initiative, which he said, will go a long way in preserving the rich biodiversity of the state.
Informing that Arunachal Pradesh is one major carbon sinks of the country, Khandu said the state government is exploring possibilities to “monetise” the advantage so that people can benefit from their forests without harming the environment.
Earlier during the day, Khandu flagged off the Eagle Nest Birding Festival Cycle Challenge 2022 with the theme “Say No to Drugs”.
Also present at the occasion were advisor, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kumsi Sidisow, local legislator Dorjee Wangdi Kharma, army officials and representatives of district administration.