Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on May 15 urged that the state’s rich ecological heritage be protected even as it pursues rapid development, calling for a careful balance between progress and environmental stewardship on the occasion of National Endangered Species Day.
In a message posted on X, Mein linked the fate of endangered species to the health of forest ecosystems and the traditional livelihoods of indigenous communities across the northeastern state. He singled out several rare and threatened animals found in Arunachal Pradesh, including the Mishmi takin, red panda, snow leopard, hoolock gibbon and various hornbill species.
“Arunachal Pradesh is not just a land of mountains and rivers, it is among India’s greatest strongholds of wildlife and biodiversity,” Mein wrote, stressing that the survival of these species is closely connected to the future of the state’s forests, rivers and indigenous way of life.
The deputy chief minister said environmental protection must remain a priority alongside infrastructure and economic development, warning that progress increases the duty to safeguard fragile ecological wealth. “As development progresses, the responsibility to protect this fragile ecological wealth becomes even more important,” he added.
Mein framed conservation as more than wildlife protection: he described it as preserving a living heritage that shapes community identity and humanity’s relationship with nature. He appealed to citizens, government and stakeholders to act together for a sustainable future, urging that development should not come at the cost of nature. “Let us continue working towards a future where development and environmental stewardship go hand in hand,” he concluded.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/story/arunachal-deputy-cm-calls-for-balancing-development-with-environmental-conservation-1392276-2026-05-15?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-05-15 14:54:00
