Nagaland, the 16th state state of Indian union, came into being on 1st December, 1963. Nagaland covers an area of 16,579 sp km. The diversity of the state esentially stems from its unique geographical locatio.
For Nagas, the hunting has been a way of life, an embodiments of skill and courage and a sacred practice that has traveled through generation.
With growing population ,increased accessibility to remote forest and adaptation of modern tools, hunting has become a severe global problems particularly in Nagaland. Local communities living in the Vicinety of forest depends on wildlife for livelihood and income generation. Hunting is practiced by integenious tribal community fir reasons such as cultural traditions of hunting for meat, perceived medical value and for ritual uses.
Nagaland is a special category state of the Indian constitution provides privileges such as allowing tribal Councils of their area and to impose fine accordingly to customary level.
The state government owns and manages Nagaland's Intaki National park, Puliebadze Wildlife sanctuary and Singphan wildlife sanctuary together total just 241.20 sp km, a merge 1.45% of the total geographical area of the state. The rest is owned and managed by individuals, clans, villages and district councils and other traditional community.
On April 29,2018 The Indian Express stated "Unlike other parts of the country, only 11.7% of the forest in Nagaland is under control of the state and the rest is under control of the individuals or communities"
Survey
Many teenage boys also parctice hunting for hobby. They are skilled in making traps and setting it. They are also skilled in shooting at an early stage. When interviewed with the local hunters they revealed that they cannot use hunting as a means of income to run a family whole year because with the decrease in animal and increase in hunting, they cannot gain much money by hunting and selling the animals.
Although they say that there are some reserved areas and banning of hunting there are still a number of animals and birds being killed. It was learnt that in most areas the tribal/ village councils have initiated ban of hunting during nesting and breeding period to ensure the animals are undisturbed and multiply.
A 58 years old hunter said to me "Back in our youth stage we Used to hunt bears and stags just outside the human inhibitions but now we have to go deep into the forest and we seldom find them. Although some small birds are found close by most larger birds are decreasing in number"
Migratory Falcons from Mongolia and Germany fly to these forests. Although the birds are prohibited to hunt there are still a number of it being hunted. It is the lack of monitoring by the head of the town and villagers.
Thus to ensure the safety of the animals and protection of wildlife, the Government should provide accessibility to easy life providing facilites to poultry,piggery,etc. Though there are many people who are aware of the depletion of wild animals however many are yet to know about the impact it has on wildlife and the endangered species. The government can organise awareness programme to the unreached people especially in villages about the vital impact of excess hunting and its importance for future generations.
Different tribal council shoul monitor strictly that the people follw the law and impose necessary fines.
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