Arunachal tiger reserve bags biodiversity award

Pakke Tiger Reserve in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh has received the 'India Biodiversity Award 2016' in one of its four categories, officials said today.
The Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme of the Pakke Tiger Reserve in East Kameng district was awarded the prize under the category, "conservation of threatened species".
A joint initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Biodiversity Authority and United Nations Development programme, India Biodiversity Awards recognise the contribution of a range of stakeholders towards the conservation of biodiversity.
The Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme has been a major step towards conservation of four hornbill species that are found in the adjoining areas of Pakke Tiger Reserve, Range Forest officer Kime Rambia said.

The Programme is a collaboration of Ghora-Aabhe Society, Nature Conservation Foundation and the Forest Department, Rambia said.
"Conservation can only happen with the support of local communities," said Tana Tapi, Divisional Forest Officer of Pakke Tiger Reserve.

Under this programme, urban citizens contribute money to protect hornbill nests around Pakke Tiger Reserve.
The Ghora-Aabhe Society members have been conducting awareness meetings and various other activities towards safeguarding the hornbill species and its habitat.
The Society's chairperson, Takam Nabam, said, "Our team faces stiff challenges on the ground and sometimes it can be tiring, but recognition like this gives us renewed energy."

The award was given away at a ceremony in Mumbai on May 22.