M.C. Konyak calls on people to preserve wildlife

Photo: Some of the released spotted deer at the deer park

Calling on the people to protect wildlife, minister for Forest, ecology, environment, wildlife and excise, M.C. Konyak Saturday stated that Nagas took pride in “killing and eating” rare animals but reminded that they too were God’s creation and needed to be preserved. M.C. Konyak was speaking at the inaugural programme of the new administrative building at the Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar. Comparing with other states on the progress made in wildlife preservation, the minister urged those present to learn more for a better future while doing away with “destructive mindset”. Stating that Nagaland Zoological Park is one of the 25 prioritized zoos out of 198 in India, Konyak urged concerned authorities to make it one of the best model zoo in the country. He revealed that government was planning to bring in more animals from outside the state. Konyak said “We have a transparent limited fund and scope of expansion is there but we cannot proceed with random actions and one has to follow the rules and norms of the zoo authority of India”. He also mentioned that the government was seriously taking up steps to preserve the Rangapahar, Intangki (Natl. Park) and Sengphan under Mon district (wildlife sanctuary established in 2010). Chief wildlife warden T. Lotha who also spoke on the occasion said that the concept of four walled zoo has become “obsolete” worldwide and the practice of the same could be seen the Rangapahar zoo.  Nagaland Zoological Park’s administrative building housed the office of the Director and staff. The inaugural day also saw Konyak releasing 7 spotted deer in the park measuring 17 sq hectares (deer habitat area).