Author name: OnlineAge

PASIGHAT : In a significant step towards strengthening wildlife conservation, more than 55 representatives from government departments, indigenous communities, research institutions, universities and conservation organisations have jointly developed a vision and preliminary framework for a State-wide Hornbill Conservation Action Plan, with the goal of making Arunachal Pradesh a “Land for Hornbills by 2047.” The three-day workshop, held from July 16 to 18 at Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), Pasighat, was organised by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) in collaboration with the Department of Economics, Arunachal Pradesh University, the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Zoo Outreach Organization. Arunachal Pradesh is home to five of India’s nine hornbill species—the Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Austen’s Brown Hornbill and Oriental Pied Hornbill. Three of these species are globally threatened, while all five enjoy the highest level of protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The Great Hornbill is also the state bird and holds deep cultural significance for many indigenous communities. Often described as the “farmers of the forest,” hornbills play a crucial role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Despite nearly 80 per cent forest cover, hornbill populations outside protected areas continue to face threats from habitat degradation, fragmentation and hunting. Participants therefore emphasised the need for landscape-level conservation by strengthening habitat connectivity, supporting community-led forest protection, integrating traditional ecological knowledge with scientific research and promoting long-term partnerships across Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining landscapes. The workshop brought together officials of the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board, researchers from Arunachal Pradesh University, Rajiv Gandhi University and the Indian Institute of Science, representatives of community organisations, and conservation groups, including the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), WWF-supported Arunachal Pradesh Community-led Conservation Forum, Green Hub alumni, Nagaland Forest Department, Nagaland Community-Conserved Areas Forum and Aaranyak. During the workshop, participants reviewed long-term hornbill conservation efforts, shared field experiences and developed a common vision along with a preliminary action framework. A drafting committee will now prepare the first draft of the Conservation Action Plan by September, with the final document expected early next year to guide coordinated conservation efforts across the state. Nature Conservation Foundation Executive Director and Senior Scientist Dr Aparajita Datta, who is also Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group, said the collaborative action plan would strengthen community-led conservation and help realise the vision of Arunachal Pradesh as a “Land for Hornbills.” Scientific Officer in the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests’ Office (Wildlife & Biodiversity) Dr Tajum Yomcha expressed confidence that the exercise would result in a robust conservation plan for safeguarding the state’s hornbills. Arunachal Pradesh University Department of Economics Head Dr Fames Linggi said the initiative would help ensure that hornbills continue to thrive in the state, while East Siang Honorary Wildlife Warden Talut Siram expressed hope that hornbills would return to all suitable habitats across Arunachal Pradesh. Rajiv Gandhi University doctoral researcher Ruksar Rukbo stressed that conservation efforts should also focus on community livelihoods and encourage behavioural change through awareness, while Adi Baane Kebang representative and Wildlife Trust of India member Biswajit Tayeng described the workshop as a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing among representatives of different tribes and organisations. Itanagar Assistant Commissioner Tamo Dadda expressed hope that the initiative would secure a better future for hornbills in Arunachal Pradesh. The initiative is supported by the Whitley Fund for Nature, the IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group and the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group.        

ITANAGAR : A delegation of the Governing Council of the Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritage (RIWATCH), led by chairman Dr Joram Begi, called on Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd.) at Raj Bhavan on Friday and discussed the proposal to transform the institution into the University of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritage (UWATCH). The proposed university is envisioned as a globally recognised centre of excellence dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of indigenous knowledge systems, traditional cultures, heritage studies and sustainable living practices. The Governor appreciated RIWATCH’s 15-year journey and its pioneering contribution to research, documentation, preservation and promotion of Arunachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage. He said the institution, through its ethnographic museum, documentation centre, Centre for Mother Languages, research publications, audiovisual archives and community-based initiatives, has played a significant role in safeguarding the cultural legacy of the state’s indigenous communities. Parnaik noted that RIWATCH has documented oral traditions, folk narratives, rituals, languages and traditional ecological knowledge while fostering academic collaborations with national and international universities and research institutions. He commended its efforts in promoting cultural empowerment, linguistic preservation, sustainable development and community participation. Expressing confidence in the proposed transformation into UWATCH, the Governor said the institution has the potential to emerge as a global hub for comparative civilisation studies, indigenous research and intercultural dialogue, attracting scholars, researchers and students from across the world. He said such an institution would not only preserve humanity’s ancient wisdom but also inspire future generations to draw lessons from traditional knowledge in addressing contemporary challenges and building a more sustainable and harmonious world. RIWATCH Secretary and Executive Director Vijay Swami, Academic Advisor Dr A K Tripathy and governing council member Er Tayum Tok were also present during the meeting. Established in 2009 at Roing, RIWATCH has grown into one of Northeast India’s leading cultural research institutions, serving as a bridge between traditional wisdom and contemporary know    

ZIRO : The Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, on Friday organised a one-day West Zone Orientation Programme in Ziro on the implementation of the 16th Finance Commission (FC-XVI) grants and key rural development initiatives. The programme focused on the operational guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance for Rural Local Bodies during the 2026-27 to 2030-31 award period. Attending the inaugural session, Ziro MLA Hage Appa urged officials to maintain transparency, accountability and effective coordination to ensure optimal utilisation of central grants for rural development. Earlier, Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme welcomed the dignitaries, resource persons and delegates from across the western districts, while Lower Subansiri Zilla Parishad Chairperson Hibu Dumi highlighted the importance of strengthening grassroots governance and empowering local administrative institutions. The orientation brought together District Panchayat Development Officers (DPDOs), Panchayat Training Associates-cum-District Nodal Officers and technical personnel from 11 western districts. Resource persons conducted technical sessions on Statement of Revenue and Own Source Revenue (SOR and OSR), convergence of the 15th and 16th Finance Commission grants, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), VB-RAM-G, and the operational use of the SECURE digital portal. The programme marked the first phase of a statewide capacity-building initiative. Similar orientation programmes are scheduled to be held for the Central Zone in Pasighat on July 28 and the East Zone in Changlang on August 3.      

BOMDILA : The Bomdila Tourism Society (BTS), in collaboration with Radio Kameng, on Friday organised “Bomdila Connect – A Carnival of Heritage, Harmony & Hospitality” to showcase the town’s cultural heritage and promote its tourism potential. The carnival began from the Sahara Tyre area of Bomdila and concluded at Lower Gompa, with around 40 cultural groups representing various communities of West Kameng participating in the event. Traditional performances, including the Yak Dance, Aji Lhamu Dance, Kukri Dance, Hrusso Dance and Sajolang Dance, reflected the district’s rich cultural diversity. Students from different schools also joined the procession, carrying placards promoting environmental conservation and proper waste management. Attending the programme as chief guest, Kalaktang MLA Tseten Chombey commended the organisers for bringing together different communities of the district on a common platform to celebrate West Kameng’s rich cultural heritage. He recalled that Bomdila had once been the hub of the erstwhile Kameng region but gradually lost its prominence, while destinations such as Tawang, Dirang and Shergaon successfully emerged as major tourist attractions. Expressing confidence in the initiative, Chombey said Bomdila Connect has the potential to restore the town’s lost glory and evolve into one of Arunachal Pradesh’s flagship tourism events. He assured full support for making the carnival an annual calendar event and accepted a memorandum submitted by the Bomdila Tourism Society, assuring all possible assistance. West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar congratulated the organisers for conceptualising the initiative, saying its primary objective is to preserve the district’s cultural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism. He assured the district administration’s continued support and appealed to all stakeholders to work together to establish the carnival as a permanent annual event. Highlighting the district administration’s cleanliness initiatives, Kumar urged citizens to actively participate in weekly social service programmes for a cleaner and greener West Kameng. Stressing effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, he emphasised proper waste segregation through the four-colour bin system in both urban and rural areas and appealed to religious leaders and spiritual heads to sensitise the public on environmental conservation and waste management. During the programme, Geshe Lobsang Norbu, who has planted more than 1.5 lakh trees in and around Bomdila, was felicitated for his outstanding contribution to environmental conservation. The event was organised by the Bomdila Tourism Society in collaboration with Radio Kameng, with support from the West Kameng district administration, Arunachal Tourism Society and 4/9 Gorkha Rifles. Among those present were Guru Tulku Rinpoche, former minister Japu Deru, representatives of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), 4/9 Gorkha Rifles and 2nd Arunachal Scouts, Panchayati Raj Institution leaders, lamas, Heads of Departments, students and members of the public. (DIPR)