Biodiversity rich Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary (DEMWS) at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh has huge potential of eco-tourism that can uplift lives of fringe area communities if the residents support the forest department’s sustained efforts to protect wildlife of the sanctuary, including fish and bird species.
This was stated by Kempi Ete, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), DEMWS while addressing a community awareness programme on deterring wildlife crimes to protect wildlife in the sanctuary at Sika Tode village recently. The awareness programme was organised by the local Community Surveillance and Monitoring Team (CSMT) supported by biodiversity conservation organisation, Aaranyak.“Shoot the magnificent wildlife resources with your camera and share on social media to attract wildlife lovers to the sanctuary. It will go a long way in promoting eco-tourism in fringe villages,” the DFO said, adding that community support is a must for protection of wildlife in D’Ering Sanctuary as only a handful (40-50) forest staff deployed here are not sufficient to secure it fully.
She appealed to the community members to remain alert against hunting especially of bird species and unregulated illegal fishing and warned that all the wildlife species are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972 (Amended in 2022).“Hence attempt to kill or killing wildlife when caught, will lead to severe punishment under the Act and it will jeopardise unemployed youth’s chances of getting government jobs if charge-sheeted under the provisions of the Act,” the official said while lauding Aaranyak’s initiative to form CSMTs to generate public support for prevention of wildlife crimes in D’Ering Sanctuary.Tatem Jamoh, the president of the CSMT unit, Anchalghat underscored the need for such community awareness programmes on a regular interval to secure sustained community support for wildlife protection in D’Ering Sanctuary.His remarks were echoed by Maksam Tayeng, Honorary Wildlife Warden of East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh and Chairman of the CSMT and EDC. Tayeng also pointed out that once protection measures are upgraded in the sanctuary it will lead to creation of jobs also for locals.The awareness programme was also addressed by the Zila Parishad Member, Annu Paboh Komut, Range Officer Nalo Tasing and CSMT coordinator Okii Modi, Gaon Burah and village secretary among others.
