Natung felicitated with the ‘Conservation Award" for his indefatigable movement of Air Gun/Gun Surrender Abhiyan

By Jon Pebi Tato

NATION: Lately, on the 18th of November 2021, The Air Gun/Gun Surrender Abhiyan has been felicitated with the ‘Conservation Award’ in the 6th Northeast Green Summit at Silchar, Assam. The award was honoured to Shri. Mama Natung, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Arunachal Pradesh.

IN-DEPTH

The award has been conferred to the state of Arunachal Pradesh for the indefatigable efforts taken by the state administration under the leadership of Chief Minister, Pema Khandu.

The Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has been equally lauded for its endeavor to protect and conserve the endangered species of wildlife of the state from the hunting practices which had been the ethnic practices of the tribal communities.

Hon'ble  Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Mama Natung accepted the felicitation in a  gracious manner, wherein he expressed his contentment to the  North East Green Summit for recognition of Airgun/Gun Surrender Abhiyan launched by Govt of AP.

Stating about his Airgun/Gun Surrender Abhiyan Natung insisted on the collective efforts from all the North-Eastern states to avoid animal hunting and rather adopt a community & culture-based approach to reach at the grassroots level. 

Natung as always stated “use camera to shoot & not the guns”, 

The minister highlighted the significance of the recent "Pakke declaration" held under the leadership of HCM Khandu and assured participation and contribution in the fight for climate change.

Union Minister for State, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) Shri Ashwini Choubey applauded the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh for its innovative Wildlife Conservation initiative (Airgun/Gun Surender Abhiyan)

Background

The Air-gun Surrender Abhiyan was a state government's initiative to curb the burgeoning hunts of the wildlife by the communities in the state. The  Abhiyan had been started on 17 March 2020, in lumbung Village, East Kameng district by the Hon'ble  Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Mama Natung . Since then Natung was seen advocating the use of cameras to shoot instead of using guns against the wildlife.

Northeast Green Summit aims to celebrate the rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage of Northeast India, showcase their inter-linkages and focus on the need for an integrated approach for sustaining this heritage. The Summit is striving towards preserving, maximizing and developing the potential of the unique biodiversity zone of Northeast India through various awareness programmes highlighting, amongst other things, various sustainable livelihood options and associated skills. The discussions will link and draw lessons from science, culture and market mechanisms.