AIZAWL, May 3: Shooting animals not with a gun, but with a
camera is the mantra of the Aizawl-based Association for Environment Protection (ASEP),
which it has been propagating
among the masses.
“The tireless campaign on environment protection has paid off to
some extent,” said Information and
Public Relations Director David L
Thangliana as he distributed prizes of a wildlife photography competition organised by ASEP.
“There is an awakening on the
need to protect our environment
thanks to the efforts of the ASEP.
However, despite many years ocampaigning across the State, we
still see some people carrying catapults when we travel in the remote
villages. This calls for more efforts
in educating the people about environment protection to achieve the
desired results,” he said.
He advised ASEP to seek the
help of the Mizoram Journalists’
Association, Mizo Photographers’
Society, besides the I&PR Department, for wider and more effective
environment awareness campaigns. He said his department is
willing to cooperate in the muchneeded campaign for protection
of environment and wildlife which,
he said, are under threat.
The photograph of a gibbon
mother carrying its baby on a tree
shot by Lalvohbika Hrahsel of West
Phaileng village, won the first prize
in the photography contest. The award carries a
citation and Rs 5,000.
C Lalbiakzama of Pawlrang village won the second prize (a citation and
Rs 3,000), while C Lalsiammawia of Lunglei received the third prize (a
citation and Rs 2,000).
The winners were selected from among 94
entries submitted by 36
photographers.
Fourteen photographers were awarded a
consolation prize of Rs 1,000 each.
The ASEP is happy that its 16
years of campaign for wildlife protection has borne positive fruits. “There has been significant awakening in wildlife protection, particularly in the villages. Many villages have announced prohibition
of poaching in their respective jurisdictions,”
ASEP president K Lalmuansanga said.
Since 2003 when the
ASEP was formed till
date, more than 100
hunters have surrendered their guns.
“Many hunters laid
down their guns without
surrendering them to
the authorities as the
gun is considered a
treasure. Some have destroyed them,” Lalmuansanga says.
“In villages, a gun owner usually lends his arms to many hunters
in the village. So, surrendering of
one gun stops an average of ten
persons from poaching,” the wildlife activist added.
Not only guns, many men have
surrendered their traps used for
catching animals and boys their
catapults to show that they would
not kill birds again.
Like in any tribal society, a person had to kill as many wild animals
as possible to attain a high status in
the Mizo society in the olden times.
The ASEP has conducted wildlife awareness campaigns in almost
all villages which have yielded positive results. The ASEP identified
hunters in the villages with the help
of locals and later sent them a letter
requesting them to stop hunting.
“It is a Mizo mindset to fulfil someone’s request. That really works.”
“Though we have a lot more to
do, the achievement so far is satisfactory. If this positive trend continues, Mizoram could reclaim its
rich flora and fauna,” the ASEP
president said.
The Young Mizo Association
(YMA), the State’s largest organisation having branches across the
State, has also helped a lot in conservation of wildlife and environment. In many villages, YMA
branches protect wildlife, including
aquatic animals. A number of YMA
branches have constructed mini
parks in their areas where trees and
animals are given protection.
Source: Assam Tribune/ZODIN SANGA
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