The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Nagaland, on April 16, 2026 inaugurated the Doyang Wildlife Division and a dedicated control room in Wokha to tackle a rising human‑elephant conflict (HEC) in the region. The move is aimed at improving rapid response and providing a focused administrative mechanism to address wildlife-related incidents affecting local communities.
The programme was held at the Doyang Wildlife Division Office in Forest Colony, Wokha, and was attended by Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister C L John as the chief guest. Officials said the new unit will enable faster coordination between field staff and residents when elephants enter human habitations or farmland.
In his address, Minister C L John urged that growing environmental awareness be turned into concrete action. He stressed the need to balance forest conservation, wildlife protection and human livelihoods, noting that while traditional respect for nature exists among the Nagas, broader public participation in conservation has only recently begun to expand. He called for coexistence and community cooperation to mitigate damage, and assured that systems are being put in place for quicker response and redressal.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Vedpal Singh said the Doyang Wildlife Division was created in response to increasing HEC incidents in Wokha. He described the new division and its control room as a major step toward immediate intervention and enhanced citizen support during wildlife emergencies.
Principal Secretary Y. Kikheto Sema emphasized the need for ongoing awareness and long‑term planning, and said efforts are underway to secure externally aided projects to address the issue comprehensively.
Carved out of the former Doyang Plantation Division, the new Doyang Wildlife Division will cover the Wokha, Mokokchung and Zunheboto forest divisions. Officials expect the reorganization to strengthen conservation work while providing a dedicated mechanism to handle wildlife conflicts in the region.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/nagaland/story/nagaland-launches-doyang-wildlife-division-in-wokha-to-tackle-human-elephant-conflict-1376818-2026-04-16?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-04-16 21:06:00
