Air Gun Sporting Association of Nagaland (ASAN) organized shooting competition at Wokha on 9th Dec 2021, as its 1st winter open Air gun shooting competition.
Ayamo L. Khuvung was adjudged the winner of the first airgun shooting competition, while M. Nyamo Odyuo and Bankathung got the 2nd and 3rd respectively, Seven consolation prizes including cash prizes and certificates were also given.
District Forest Officer, Wokha, Suman WM Sivachar, IFS, who was the special guest congratulated the ASAN for selecting Wokha as its headquarter and for organizing the competition, and said that Naga youths have the capacity to achieving anything when they focuse their mind, and to excel in any event the youth needs to accept the challenges and give more determination and dedication. He encouraged the participants to introspect and take sports as professional career, and channelize their energy into sporting activities.
While speaking on the conservation of our state rich flora and fauna, with special reference to fauna, Suman said that Nagas are by default hunters and poachers, so we hunt, but our state legislature has accepted wild life protection Act 1981, which supersedes Article 371(A) on the Naga’s customary laws, and the law has given the forest department legal sanctity to protect and preserved the flora and fauna.
DFO said that to give a balancing act, the forest department educates and create awareness to the people about the importance of preserving our flora and fauna and added that even though Nagaland has very good forest cover, it is diminishing because of mono plantation and human occupation, we depend on forest for our survival yet we have to do in a holistic manner.
SP Wokha, Menang Meren Ao was the guest of honour said shooting is a very disciplined sports, and expressed his happiness to see many participants from different districts.
Founding member and President Ajamo Odyuo delivered the welcome address; formation of ASAN was delivered by Manenkaba.
District Forest Officer, Wokha, Suman WM Sivachar IFS, also launched ASAN Website, 43 participants including from Kohima took part in the competition. Two minutes silence was observed during the program where officials and participants wore Black armbands in solidarity with victims of Oting shooting.
(DPRO and IA, Wokha)
