LEDUM, Oct 8: The 3rd edition of Pasighat Butterfly and Bio-Diversity Meet began here today at the mural village, Ledum, with the sole motto to conserve Mother Nature. The event also aims to promote the mural village as an eco-tourism destination.
Local MLA Ninong Ering while attending the inaugural program as chief guest lauded the village community for showing the way for others to follow suit to protect their rich fauna and flora, and to put Ledum on the eco-tourism map of the world through their conservation efforts. Participation of the local community who are the most important stakeholders is vital towards conservation of our ecosystem for sustainable development and for our future generation, Ering added.
The lawmaker while welcoming the tourists, nature lovers, environmentalists, research scholars, ecologists, wildlife officers who have come together here during the three-day meet, hoped that the event will help educate the people and create awareness on importance of butterfly and bio-diversity in general and importance of conservation at the community level.
He expressed concern that many wildlife species that used to abound earlier, have dwindled and faced extinction and that we must work together to conserve the rich biodiversity for posterity. The office of the ‘Destination Ledum’ was also inaugurated by the MLA today.
Earlier, East Siang DC Kinny Singh, who was the guest of honour, said that the delicate and fragile butterfly which is a beautiful creation of nature and one of the vital species in nature, symbolizes the need to protect our fragile eco-system.
“We must all come together to conserve and protect our rich wildlife and bio-diversity,” she stressed and added that the district admission has also taken steps and issued directives through the GBs to protect wildlife and take strict action against defaulters.
DFO, Mouling Wildlife Sanctuary, Boken Pao and DFO Tashi Mize spoke on the need to conserve wildlife and bio-diversity. Earlier, a dance presentation on the theme of butterfly conservation choreographed by noted folk artiste Delong Padung was presented. Dr Joram Khopey gave a brief on history of Butterfly & Bio-Diversity Meet and its objective.
Dr Sarala Khaling, Regional Head, Ashoka Trust for Research on Ecology and Environment, Sikkim and Nawang Bhutia, president, Bomos Nature Conservation Society who is also known as ‘Butterfly Man of Sikkim’ were among others felicitated on the occasion.
Moth watching was also one of the highlights. The three-day eco-tourism event will feature biodiversity discovery, bird watching, conservation activities, nature trail hike, nature photography, etc. (DIPRO)