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While Dr. Kinny Singh, Dy. Commissioner also batted for stronger and larger initiatives from the wildlife department to protect the Bengal Florican. “I am happy to know that the populations of Bengal Floricans in DEWS are increasing after present management of the Sanctuary stopped much in controlling hunting activities inside the sanctuary. I also assure all possible help from the District Administration’s side in conservation of these rare birds”, added Dr. Singh.
Earlier, Tasang Taga, DFO, D. Ering WL Sanctuary put a brief speech on the conservation initiative of the wildlife department by acting tough against any hunting attempts by hunters from fringe villages without showing any leniency toward hunters who will fully carried out hunting attempts inside the sanctuary in the past.
“Due to full protection of hunting and regular human tress-passing inside the sanctuary, the number of Bengal Florican in D. Ering WL Sanctuary has increased considerably”, added Taga while quoting the latest survey report of Scientists from Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai in support of ZSL EDGE and Segre Foundation based at England wherein approximately 40 male were recorded and its female ration with male of 1:1 makes it around 80 numbers of Bengal Florican in the DEWS. Taga also said that NSS students of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat were also given awareness on conservation of Bengal Florican while taking them to the sanctuary on Nature Camp.
Winners of the Essay Competition on the theme ‘Conservation of Bengal Florican in Arunachal Pradesh’ were Jane Yomso, Class-X from D. Ering Memorial Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Ome Neyi Borang, Class-XI from Independent Golden Jubilee Govt. Hr. Sec. School and Nyabi Riba, Class IX from Siang Model School, Pasighat as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis Bengalensis) is one of the most threatened bustard species of the world. Since 2008, BirdLife International and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have listed it as Critically Endangered due to its very small and declining population and as per report; fewer than 1,000 individuals were estimated to be alive globally as of 2017. It is also listed under Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
As Dr. Asad Rahmani, former Director, Bombay Natural History Society and Dr. Biswajit Chakdar, Scientist-A who made a routine survey of the Bengal Florican population here, D. Ering WL Sanctuary has the best habitat for these rare birds in entire North-East and South-East Asia.