Guwahati, Dec 30: Biodiversity-rich Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary (DEMWS)
at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh has huge potential of eco-tourism that can uplift life of
fringe area communities if the latter support the forest department’s sustained efforts to
protect wildlife of the sanctuary including fishes and bird species.
This was stated by Ms Kempi Ete, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), DEMWS while
addressing a community awareness programme on deterring wildlife crimes to protect
wildlife in the sanctuary on December 25 last at Sika Tode village.
The awareness programme was organized by the local Community Surveillance and
Monitoring Team (CSMT) supported by premier biodiversity conservation organization
Aaranyak ( www.aaranyak.org ).
“Shoot the magnificent wildlife resources with your camera and share in 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.
Dr Jimmy Borah, Deputy Director of Legal and Advocacy Division (LAD) of Aaranyak told
the large gathering of community members, village heads and village council members that
Aaranyak would continue to support the efforts by the Forest Department and the community to protect wildlife of D’Ering Sanctuary in various ways through the CSMTs. “The people of the area will benefit most when eco-tourism flourishes around the sanctuary,” he said.
“Profit from hunting is illegal and short-lived, but eco-tourism will change your life for
better for years to come,” said Ms Ivy Farheen Hussain, Senior Project Officer, LAD,
Aaranyak who constantly coordinates with the CSMTs. Assistant Project Officer of LAD,
Bijeet Baro assisted in digital documentation of the programme.
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, Ms Annu
Paboh Komut, Range Officer Nalo Tasing and CSMT coordinator Okii Modi, Gaon Burah
and village secretary among others.
