Protection of wildlife in NC Hills district demanded

HAFLONG, Jan 8 – Following wanton killing of wildlife in NC Hills the rare varieties of wildlife are on the verge of extinction. It was said, in the past, the district of NC Hills was the natural habitat of a large number of wild animals. Different fauna like, tiger, leopard, elephant, barking deer, screw hollock, gibbons, black bear, wild dogs, wild buffalo, mithun etc. were the main inhabitants of the hill eco-system. Large varieties of birds, snakes, tortoise and other reptiles etc. too, enrich the hill biodiversities. Keeping these in view, development of Hajong lake for tortoise sanctuary and wild life sanctuary in Sengbar-Khorongma area were proposed years back, but remained in the files only. And the killing of animals increased in such a proportion that on every alternate day, two or three deer were being killed and sold regularly in the market openly. No one seems to be concerned over such killings of animals. Increasing demand of deer meat and the absence of a wildlife wing in the forest department here has also been encouraging the killing of animals. Recently, a Haflong-based organisation named “organisation of aborgines for Social Interaction among Societies” (OASIS) has been taking keen interest for the protection and preservation of animal life of NC Hills. Mention may be made here that ‘OASIS’ recently rescued a tawny Eagle from Haflong and later handed it over to the State Zoo at Guwahati. Several organisations, including the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have appealed fervently to the people of NC Hills that they should not encourage the selling of meat of any wild animals andmotivate the people not to kill these innocent animals, because they have the equal right to live in this earth like human beings. Therefore they should be treated as the friends of human beings. These organisations further demanded the establishment of wildlife wing under the Forest department and the Barail range should be kept reserved for wild animals and if possible, the proposal for wildlife sanctuary should be materialised so that the wanton killing of animals is stopped and these innocent animals are protected properly. Otherwise, the days are not far when the district of NC Hills would turn into a place without animals.