Pasighat: Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Pasighat hosted a panel discussion on “Human-Wildlife Interactions: Conflict and Coexistence” organized by the college’s Debating Society. Experts in conservation discussed solutions for managing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting coexistence.
The session was coordinated by Kaling Darung and Apilang Apum and moderated by journalist Marina Dai. The event was sponsored by the college’s Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and Research & Development (R&D) Cell.
Panelists included Maksam Tayeng, honorary wildlife warden and chairman of the Eco-Development Committee of Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, who identified habitat destruction and hunting as primary causes of conflict.
He suggested that sustainable use of resources, preservation of breeding habitats, and regulation of traditional practices are key to reducing friction between humans and animals.
Jibi Pulu, indigenous conservation practitioner and member of the Elopa Etugu Community Eco-Cultural Preserve, stressed the importance of prioritizing conservation over material gain.
He cited community-led efforts that increased fox and barking deer populations and advocated for local communities to play a central role in conservation policies.
Kento Kadu, head of the Department of Zoology at JNC, noted that rural populations and farmers are most affected by human-wildlife interactions. He called for long-term sustainable development policies rather than reactive compensation.
Tajum Yomcha, research officer in the Office of the PCCF (Wildlife & Biodiversity), stressed viewing these interactions as challenges to be addressed, rather than conflicts, and pointed out the importance of protecting wildlife.
The discussion included questions from students and faculty members, fostering active engagement. The event was live-streamed on Pasighat News and JNC social media pages.