SHILLONG: Meghalaya, which is home to two national parks and numerous wildlife, has thankfully not witnessed any cases of poaching in the last one year. It may be mentioned that the state has several endangered species and the government is happy over the fact that no reports of poaching have transpired since 2019.
Forest and Environment Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said that poaching did take place in yesteryears, but now, most of the youths are educated and they know what is right and wrong.
He, however, said that there could be one or two cases which, perhaps, were solved by the forest officials but nothing alarming was reported or registered.
He informed that the state government, from time to time, educates people on the need to save the wildlife of the state.
Asked about instances of people posing with captured birds or animals on social networking sites, Rymbui said that people have been directed not to do so and in many cases, many of the captured animals or reptiles have been handed over to the forest officials.
He said that the department has also awarded many individuals for rescuing animals, which is going to encourage people’s endeavour to safeguard the animals. One of the hot biodiversity hotspots, Meghalaya, is home to two national parks, viz. Balpakram National Park spread across 220 sq km and Nokrek National Park spread across 47.48 sq km.
It may be mentioned that apart from the two national parks, the state is also home to
Selbagre Hoolock Gibbon Reserve in West Garo Hills district, Baghmara Reserve Forest and Siju Bird Sanctuary in South Garo Hills district, and Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Ri Bhoi district.
