The All Bogong Students’ Union (ABSU) has extended its support to the Arunachal Pradesh government’s Airgun Surrender Abhiyan to stop the rampant killing of birds through airguns in the state.
The campaign is scheduled to begin in April this year.
The ABSU team called on state environment and forest minister Mama Natung on Thursday and handed over an appreciation letter in support of the airgun surrender drive being initiated by him to stop the killing of birds.
“ABSU, on behalf of the people of Pasighat and all Bogong Banggo villages would like to thank you for your Samaritan and noble initiative of launching the Airgun Surrender Abhiyan, which will be enforced statewide by the forest department in April,” the appreciation letter stated.
The rampant hunting of birds and wildlife in Arunachal Pradesh has resulted in many rare species of birds and animals becoming extinct, while some are on the verge of extinction.
The protection of these birds and animals is equally important to maintain and protect the forest coverage for ecological balance.
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An ecological imbalance may, directly and indirectly, affect the lives of human beings, the team ABSU said.
‘We will co-operate with the state government for the campaign in all possible ways. We have urged the minister to officially direct the East Siang deputy commissioner to implement the campaign in the district”, said Siang Moyong, ABSU general secretary.
Meanwhile, Tashi Mize, divisional forest officer of Pasighat forest division has already issued an order for surrendering of airguns in the district.
While Tasang Taga, divisional forest officer of the D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary said, “Many people may not willingly surrender their airguns, but a blanket ban on the use of Airguns and sale of pellets would bear more results, as airguns are mostly used for the killing of birds and smaller animals like oriental squirrels etc.”