Meghalaya: Wildlife Samaritans Honoured at Wildlife Week Closing Ceremony in Jowai

The concluding ceremony of Wildlife Week 2026 was held at Kiang Nangbah Government College in Jowai, where individuals who worked to protect wildlife received recognition.

The valedictory function of Wildlife Week 2026 took place at the Multipurpose Hall of Kiang Nangbah Government College in Jowai, bringing together conservation advocates and local officials. During the event, individuals who dedicated themselves to rescuing and protecting local fauna were honoured with Wildlife Samaritan Awards. This year, the celebrations centred around the official theme of Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife. The programme was organized by the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, West Jaintia Hills Division, functioning under the Meghalaya Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change.

C. P. Marak attended the function as the chief guest, addressing the gathering with praise for the compassion shown by the award recipients. He noted that their dedication reflects a fundamental duty toward the natural world and expressed hope that more citizens would come forward to support ongoing conservation efforts. He emphasized that safeguarding the environment is a shared responsibility that extends well beyond the mandate of the formal forestry administration.

Marak drew attention to the constitutional responsibility placed on the State and every individual citizen to protect the natural surroundings. He pointed out that Meghalaya is exceptionally rich in minerals, dense forests, and diverse wildlife, requiring a combined approach from both the government and society to maintain these treasures. According to his remarks, roughly two-thirds of the total geographical area across East and West Jaintia Hills remains under forest cover, forming a vital ecological foundation for local wildlife.

Urging residents to preserve this green canopy for future generations, Marak compared the forest cover to a protective umbrella that sustains life and preserves the ecological balance across the district and the wider state. However, he also highlighted pressing conservation challenges, pointing specifically to habitat fragmentation and forest fires as major threats. He shared statistics showing that reported fire incidents in East Jaintia Hills dropped from 766 during 2022-23 down to 348 in 2023-24, while West Jaintia Hills experienced a decrease from 391 to 243 over the same timeframe. He encouraged residents to remain vigilant during the dry season when dry grass and fallen branches elevate fire risks.

Discussing the broader regional biodiversity, Marak noted that the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary spans approximately 60 square kilometres and sustains over 92 species of birds and animals alongside more than 199 butterfly species. He also highlighted 10 community conservation reserves located in East Jaintia Hills and 18 in West Jaintia Hills, describing them as valuable repositories of regional flora and fauna. Furthermore, he noted that the district features more than 1,200 underground caves that act as unique habitats for specialized wildlife.

Several other prominent figures addressed the attendees during the ceremony. Dr. P. Nongtdu, who serves as the Honorary Wildlife Warden of East Jaintia Hills and teaches at Eastern College in Khliehriat, delivered remarks alongside B. Dally Kharpran, General Secretary of the Meghalaya Adventurous Association in Shillong, and Dr. H. H. Mohrmen, an environmentalist and Honorary Wildlife Warden of West Jaintia Hills. Participants who won various competitions held throughout the week-long observance were presented with prizes and certificates.

The function was chaired by P. Lamare, Beat Forest Officer in charge of the Ratacherra Wildlife Beat. Introductory remarks were delivered by Divisional Forest Officer N. Laloo, while S. Law, Range Forest Officer for the Umkiang and Jowai Wildlife Ranges, formally proposed the vote of thanks to conclude the gathering.

What this means for you
This observance highlights the critical importance of grassroots wildlife protection and community involvement in maintaining ecological balance.

• Across India: Citizens are reminded of their constitutional obligations to protect the environment and support local conservation initiatives. Communities nationwide face similar challenges with habitat preservation and seasonal wildfire risks that require active public participation.
• In Jowai: Local residents must remain vigilant during the dry season to prevent forest fires and protect the extensive green canopy in the Jaintia Hills. Community members are encouraged to support ongoing conservation reserves and safeguard local biodiversity for future generations.

Why this happened
The annual celebration of Wildlife Week and the presentation of conservation awards serve to recognize individuals who actively protect local ecosystems. These events reinforce the partnership between government environmental bodies and local communities in addressing pressing ecological challenges.

• Constitutional Mandate: The events align with the foundational duties outlined in the national framework, which requires citizens to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. Administrative bodies work to implement these mandates through local engagement.
• Environmental Pressures: Ongoing threats such as habitat fragmentation and seasonal forest fires present significant risks to regional biodiversity. While coordinated prevention efforts have successfully reduced reported fire incidents in recent years, sustained vigilance remains necessary during dry conditions.

Questions & Answers

1. Where was the Wildlife Week closing ceremony held?
The valedictory function was held at the Multipurpose Hall of Kiang Nangbah Government College in Jowai.

2. What was the theme for Wildlife Week this year?
The celebration was themed 'Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife.'

3. Who attended the event as the chief guest?
C. P. Marak, Chairperson of the Meghalaya Lokayukta, attended the function as the chief guest.

4. What is the approximate size of the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary?
The sanctuary covers roughly 60 square kilometres.

5. How did forest fire incidents change in East Jaintia Hills?
Reported fire incidents fell from 766 in 2022-23 to 348 in 2023-24.

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