Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has appealed the people of the State to change their mindset over wild hunting, saying that it was high time to shun the destructive practices to save the natural ecosystems.
Attending the “Air Gun Surrender Ceremony” conducted at Pasighat JN College auditorium on Saturday, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu urged the people to take pledge to stop consumption of wild-meat during festivals or any other occasion.
“Arunachal Pradesh is a tribal state and the tribal traditions are related to wild animals. So the people realized that wild beasts should be conserved for the future generation”, Pema Khandu said adding that wild lives are necessary to keep ecological balance in nature.
Pema Khandu observes that the natural ecosystem is under threat due to rampant hunting of wild beasts. He appealed to the community leaders, PRI members, students, Gaon Burahs, NGO functionaries to teach common people to stop hunting and deforestation activities and save mother earth from environmental degradation.
“Hence the state is marching ahead on the track of development, so the people give up the primitive natures like wildlife hunting”, he added.
Addressing the occasion, Union Minister of State for Sports & Youth Affairs Kiren Rijijusaid the domestic and foreign tourists come to the state to see the scenic beauty and natural forests and wild beasts.
State’s Forest Minister Mama Natung said he has taken up the noble initiative with Chief Minister Khandu’s advice. He is hopeful that surrender of air guns and other firearms is their primary effort to prevent further killing of wild birds and other wild animals. The minister said that the state government will formulate policy to ensure protection of the wild lives in the state.
“The government policy for protection would not be effective until people support it in true sense”, he said.
Also read: Arunachal Pradesh: Over 300 air guns surrendered as part of Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan
Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao his address urged the community people to save the wild resources for their future generation. He also requested the CM and forest Minister to take steps for surrender of the fire arms including pont-22 rifles and barrel guns to make the protection measures more effective.
Pasighat East MLA Kaling Moyong expressed his gratitude to local people for realizing the importance of wildlife conservation and supporting the state government’s initiative with the gun surrender.
On the occasion, more than 300 air guns, surrendered by people of East Siang district, were displayed before the dignitaries.
On the occasion, JN College principal Dr Milarai Modi submitted a one-point memorandum to the CM seeking funds for construction of well-equipped Auditorium building and Girls hostel in the college campus.
Among others, State’s Health & Family Welfare Minister Alo Libang, MLA cum adviser to forest Minister Kumsi Sidisow, local MLAsKaling Moyong and many other MLAs, PCCF R K Sing with forest department officials, Adi Bane Kebang functionaries, Gaon Burahs and elected leaders present on the occasion.