Kohima, October 8: The Kohima Forest Division observed Wildlife Week 2026 under the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife” at the Forest Office Complex, Kohima, focusing on wildlife protection laws and community participation in conservation.
During the programme, Range Forest Officer Savinuo Kikhi, Chiephobozou Range, highlighted the ecological importance of wildlife and provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, adopted in Nagaland in 1981. He explained that Section 9 prohibits hunting of animals listed under Schedules I and II, subject to limited statutory exceptions, while the definition of hunting includes killing, capturing, trapping, snaring and injuring animals, as well as disturbing eggs and nests.
The programme also highlighted penalties under Section 51, with general violations punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both. Offences involving Schedule I species can attract three to seven years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹25,000.Species such as the Great Hornbill, clouded leopard, hoolock gibbon, Indian pangolin, Blyth’s tragopan and King Cobra were among those highlighted as protected wildlife found in Nagaland. The programme stressed the importance of community involvement through village-level monitoring, prevention of hunting and trapping, traditional conservation practices and measures to address human-wildlife conflict.
The keynote address was delivered by K. Hukato Chishi, IFS, Conservator of Forests (STC). The programme also featured a speech by a student of Sazolie College, Jotsoma, and was attended by forest officials and other participants.
