The Centre Chakhesang Youth Organisation (CCYO) has welcomed the Nagaland Forest Department’s decision to return a Great Barbet to Porbami village, saying the move respected the sentiments, customs and traditions of the Naga community.
The bird was handed over by officials of the Forest Department to the CCYO in the presence of representatives of the local administration, Centre Chakhesang Public Organisation (CCPO), Centre Chakhesang GBs Union, the village council, youth organisations and other community leaders.
Following the handover, the CCYO reiterated its commitment to forest and wildlife conservation measures adopted by the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) and Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF).
The organisation said its units would strictly enforce the prohibition on indiscriminate jungle burning and commercial extraction of medicinal plants. It also reaffirmed a year-round ban on hunting, including the capturing, coursing, snaring, trapping or baiting of birds and wild animals.
The CCYO said people found carrying weapons, explosives, firearms, poison, snares, traps or other equipment capable of killing, injuring, decoying or anaesthetising wildlife would face penalties under community resolutions. Such equipment would also be liable to seizure, it said.
The organisation further warned against the buying and selling of hunted wild animals and birds, reiterating that wildlife protection requires restrictions not only on hunting but also on activities that encourage it.
The CCYO also restated its total ban on airguns, referring to a resolution adopted during the CPO General Session held at Chizami village on January 23, 2024. According to the organisation, anyone found possessing an airgun, irrespective of its intended purpose, would face action under the community resolutions and the weapon would be confiscated.
Destructive fishing methods using batteries, generators, chemicals and similar equipment have also been prohibited under the community conservation measures, the organisation said.
The CCYO said its conservation efforts were aimed at protecting forests, wildlife and natural resources while respecting the customary and traditional rights of the Chakhesang people under Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
As part of its awareness and conservation efforts, the organisation said it released the Great Barbet into the Porbami forest after receiving the bird from the Forest Department.
