Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh bagged the first prize for its unique endeavour in conserving rare wildlife resources found in the area.
Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve is an NGO working in partnership with the Arunachal Pradesh forest department in protecting and conserving the 17 sq km Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.
The award by National Bio-diversity Authority, an independent bio-diversity organisation, honoured the society by awarding a citation, a memento and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
Indi Glow and Sange Norbu Phiang, leaders of the organization, received the award on behalf of the organization.
Eaglenest Wild life Sanctuary is about 217 sq km with a rich bio-diversity which is considered second only to Andes in South America. It is known for the existence of Bugun Liocichla, a bird species only found here. Rich in both flora and fauna with 545 species of birds and various species of plants and animals, the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary was notified in October 1989 after bifurcating Doimara Reserve Forest.
Eagleness Wildlife Sanctuary got further prominence with the discovery of Bugun Lipcichla, a rare bird not found anywhere else in the world. The sanctuary at present attracts the attention of nature lovers from all around the world.
Considering the importance of involving the local community in the conservation process, the Arunachal Pradesh forest department joined hands with the Bugun community to partner in a unique conservation model under which their community forest covering 17 sq km area and abutting Eagleness Wildlife Sanctuary is being managed jointly by both the forest department and the local people.
Started in 2016, the project today is a hugely successful model following which the community organizes eco-tourism camps for visitors and researchers that numbers in thousands annually and gainfully employs the local community members. The entire sanctuary, thus, is efficiently protected under the joint management committee.
When asked about the award, DFO, Rupa Forest Division, Millo Tassar said, “I believe this prestigious award to the society would encourage them to work harder for conserving the environment.”
