The Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change organised the first ever "Run for Hornbill: Against Time" on 4th December 2023 starting from Green Park and culminated at Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar. The run kicked off with much fanfare and excitement covering a distance of 6 km.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and Village Guards, C. L John said this is the first major initiative taken by the Department after 24 years of Hornbill festival. He thanked the Department and the participants for taking a step forward to protect and conserve Hornbill and asked the Department to continue the event even in the coming years
He pointed out that Hornbill is on the brink of extinction due to loss of habitat and hunting, which he said is a concern for every individual to conserve environment and protect hornbill by using replica feather instead of using the original one. He mentioned that Hornbill festival is a wake-up call for Nagas, a place of unity meeting point where all the 17 Naga tribes and outsiders come together to celebrate with so much vigour and enthusiasm. “It is time for all the organizers and individuals to change their mindset and ponder on how to save and protect Hornbill,” he added.
Special invitee, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS in his address said use of Hornbill feathers as an ornament is a tradition in the Naga society. Over the years, the population of Hornbill has seen a drastic decline due to its unique ecology where other species are also on the brink of extinction. It is likely that soon we will be celebrating the 'Hornbill Festival' without "Hornbills" in the state. He pointed out that there is an urgent and pressing need to proactively discourage the use of fresh original feathers in the headgears. Such use is also in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, he warned. He also urged the Tribal Bodies to completely ban the use of original feathers in order to preserve the limited existing hornbills in the State.
“Most people don’t know and realize that once the male is killed, the female and the chicks who depend on the male for food also die”, he said. Citing Arunachal Pradesh as an example, he challenged the State also to start Hornbill preservation campaign and say “No” to use of original feathers in the headgear.
The winners of Run for Hornbill were distributed in four categories:
Under Female category- Jemie P, Supei S, Tsuyangla Yimchunger, Rutseinuo, Tiamongla were placed in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
Under Male category - Mariko, Wede Timero, Cuvoto Medeo, Thothgacheirin, Taliyanger Ozukum were placed in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
Under oldest and youngest category - A 67 year-old, Nihova Sema and 6 year- old, Kenyusa Kent bagged the prize. All the participants were given a certificate.
On the occasion, "Birds of Nagaland Pocket Guide" was released by Special Invitee, Y Kikheto Sema.
Keynote address was delivered by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & Head of Forest Force, Dharmendra Prakash, IFS while a short speech was delivered by PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland, Vedpal Singh, IFS. DFO, Wokha Forest Division, Suman W.M Sivachar, IFS gave away the prizes.
(Tovikali, IA, Chumoukedima)
