Return of elephants after decades is ‘a message of hope from nature itself’: Ajay Kumar Bhalla
Biswadeep Gupta
Imphal : Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, today graced the grand finale of the 71st Wildlife Week Celebration 2025 at the City Convention Centre, Imphal. The event was organised by the Forest Department, Government of Manipur, under the theme ‘Human–Wildlife Co-existence’. Chief Secretary, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Principal Secretary (Forest, Environment & Climate Change), along with other dignitaries, also graced the occasion.
During the event, the Governor remotely released various wild animals back into their natural habitats. The animals included the Burmese Python, Bengal Slow Loris, Myanmar Box Turtle, and Leopard Cats. A project titled the Manipur Bear Conservation Project, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, was also launched.
The Governor released a book titled ‘Flight, Fur & Fangs – Encounters with the Wilderness of Manipur Forests’ and launched the Forest Resources Assessment & Monitoring System (FRAMS), a web application developed in collaboration with NESAC (ISRO). The Governor also distributed incentive prizes to the winners of the painting competition and presented awards to various organisations — NGOs, CSOs, police, and other stakeholders — who have contributed to the conservation of wildlife.
Speaking at the event, Governor Bhalla said the 71st Wildlife Week Celebration 2025, held under the theme ‘Human–Wildlife Co-existence,’ served as a reminder of the collective responsibility to safeguard Manipur’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Reflecting on the state’s rich natural heritage — from the floating Keibul Lamjao National Park to the majestic Sangai deer and the recently sighted wild elephants in Kamjong District — the Governor noted that these natural wonders are not just ecological assets but vital symbols of identity and pride.
Governor observed that the return of elephants after decades is ‘a message of hope from nature itself’, reaffirming that when humans respect and protect wildlife habitats, nature responds in kind.
The Governor also lauded the efforts of the Forest Department, conservationists, and local communities for transforming Manipur into a model of community-driven conservation. He emphasised that protecting wildlife cannot rest with the government alone — it must be a shared mission involving citizens, students, and civil society.
Citing success stories like the Amur Falcon conservation initiative in Tamenglong and the community-led protection of the Sangai, he said these examples demonstrate how people’s participation remains the strongest pillar of conservation.
The Governor called for the spirit of Wildlife Week to continue beyond the celebration, as a year-round commitment to preserving Manipur’s living heritage for generations to come. The Governor also inspected the Wildlife Photography Exhibition organised at the venue.
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