Community Protection of Wildlife

The Apatanis who inhabit the Ziro valley adjacent to Talle Wildlife Sanctuary are known for their expertise in management of their forests and other natural resources. Because their life is inextricably interwoven with forests and wildlife, they traditionally had sustainable way of harvesting the forest resources as well as hunting practices. With the introduction of firearms in recent years, however, wildlife in the area is being increasingly threatened.

A willife survey is being carried out in the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary by FGA with support from CEPF and ATREE. The survey utilizes the indigenous knowledge of the tribal hunters and scientific methods using GPS and infra-red motion sensor cameras. As a part of this project, an awareness workshop on community participation in wildlife protection was organized on October 23, 2010 by FGA, Ngunu Ziro, Apatani Cultural and Literary Society and the Department of Forests & Environment, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.




The participants included village elders, leaders of the village council (Panchayats) and senior local officers, Preliminary findings of the Talle Wildlife survey was presented. The participants were concerned about the dwindling wildlife and passed several resolutions to control hunting activities.

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Workshop on Conservation in Koyu

A day-long workshop on community-based conservation and sustainable development through community energy was organized at Koyu by Future Generations Arunachal (FGA) today. Gaon Buras (GBs), members of the women’s groups, school teachers and students attended the workshop.

The workshop focused on threats of global warming and role of communities in containing it using slides shows and documentaries on melting of snow in the Himalayas leading to rising sea level. If we do not take action now all coastal areas will be submerged and it will affect the people in the hills as well, informed Punyo Chada and Hibu Tatu, Green Teachers from Ngunu Ziro who were the resource persons.

The community participants and students prepared three months work plans for their respective areas which included tree plantation, flood control activities, maintenance of drains and cleanliness drives in the surrounding areas, controlling of wild animal hunting and deforestations.

Wild life and virgin forests could be used to promote eco-tourism and generate income for the people said Marte Koyu, vice Principal, Government Higher Secondary School, Koyu while participating in the program. He referred to many species like tigers, reindeers and hornbills which are almost extinct in Arunachal Pradesh because of human hunting. Earlier, Pura Aiya, Project Coordinator Best Practices of FGA highlighted about the works of the organization. He also explained the working methods of FGA based on SEED-SCALE process and urged the participants to get involved to create a better future.

Tajir Kakki (HGB) of Kakki village and Tunya Rina (GB) of Rina village distributed tree saplings provided by Pasighat Forest Division to the participants.

Environment Awareness Camp

It is not only our duty to contribute to world-wide efforts in containing global warming which threatens the very existence of life on earth, but also take actions at local levels to conserve our forest and wildlife, were the key messages that the participants in the environment awareness program in Kuch-Kuth village today. The program, organized by Future Generations Arunachal (FGA), was attended by 55 men and women from the surrounding area. Interestingly, there were more women participants than men.

“We have always depended on nature and knew we need to conserve it,” said a participant. “Today we learnt how to start taking concrete actions.” The participants discussed about the threat of global warming, the role of common man in protection of wildlife, and community participation in the government’s effort to conserve nature can make any project more effective. Facilitated by Hibu Tatu and Punyo Chada, both Green Teachers, the villagers prepared workplans for the coming three months. Their plans include plantation of saplings in the degraded forest areas, prohibition of hunting, and social services to keep the villages and the surroundings clean. Tree saplings, provided by the Hapoli Forest Division, were distributed to the participants at the end of the program.

It may be mentioned that FGA is carrying out a project entited “Identifying Best Practices to Empower Arunachal Families” in the three selected sites in the state, of which Yazali area in Lower Subansiri is one. The other two sites are Koyu Korang area in East Siang and Mechuka area in West Siang. The project explores various ways of mobilizing community energy to enable them to participate in the developmental processes and hence empower them to take locally contextual steps. The present program was carried out under the leadership of Punyo Rina, Project Supervisor, to mobilize community action in conserving flora and fauna of the area.

Community-based Wildlife Conservation

Sandwiched between the world’s two most populated countries, the tribal lands of Arunachal Pradesh, India provide a refuge for rare and endangered wildlife, including the Clouded Leopard and Red Goral. In the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary, this conservation project partners with village elders and hunters of the Apatani tribe. Local people are trained to use infrared camera traps to document and monitor wildlife. This visual data encourages community leadership in conservation activities. This project also facilitates educational programs, conservation clubs for youth, and works with women’s groups to link conservation benefits with mother and child health and income generation.

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