Northeast Desk, 22nd January: In a significant move towards wildlife conservation, 38 individuals voluntarily surrendered their air guns during an event organized in Tezu, the district headquarters town of Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh. This initiative, led by the state’s Environment and Forest Department, aims to discourage wildlife hunting and raise awareness about the detrimental effects of killing wildlife.
State Environment and Forest Minister Mama Natung, a key figure in spearheading the campaign, highlighted the critical need for biodiversity protection in Arunachal Pradesh, known for its extensive forest covers. Expressing concern over the alarming decline in wildlife due to unchecked hunting, Natung called for active public participation and awareness campaigns to foster the idea of biodiversity protection.
The air gun surrender initiative gained prominence when it was featured in the 84th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program on December 26, 2021. During the program, PM Modi commended the efforts of the state government in this conservation initiative.
Recognizing the global significance of the initiative, UNESCO recently acknowledged the Arunachal Pradesh government’s endeavors in wildlife conservation. Under this voluntary program, people are encouraged to surrender their air guns and licensed guns, aiming to curb the use of such weapons for hunting birds and other wild animals.
Launched officially on March 17, 2021, in Lumdung, East Kameng district, where 46 air guns were surrendered, Lumdung was declared the first air gun-free village in the state. Since its inception, the initiative has seen over 2,400 air guns and nine licensed guns surrendered by the people of Arunachal Pradesh, marking a significant stride toward wildlife protection.
Read More: Cultural Clash in Assam Over Rahul Gandhi’s Visit to Batadrava Than