ITANAGAR: Since the launch of the 'Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan' campaign on March 17, 2021, the people of Arunachal Pradesh are continuously extending their support and more than 2,400 guns have been surrendered till date.
Notably, on December 7 around 30 air guns, 1 SBBL and 1 DBBL were surrendered during BASCON 5.0 festival held at the Leparada district. BASCON is an organic festival that celebrates the local tribal art and culture of the Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu applauded the people of the Leparada district during his visit.
Of the total of about 83,743 square kilometres covered by Arunachal Pradesh, the total forest area is 80 per cent of the total land of the state, which is home to more than 500 different species of flora and fauna.
This covers several unique, rare and indigenous species that are only found within the deep thick forests of Arunachal Pradesh. The population of animals and birds has shown a drastic fall in recent times on account of illegal hunting.
Department of Forest and Environment, Government of Arunachal Pradesh has come up with a mass green movement, the 'Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan' to control the decrease in the population of wildlife.
Mama Natung, the state's Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, initiated the Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan earlier on March 17, 2021, across Arunachal Pradesh.
Since then the people of Arunachal Pradesh are continuously extending their support by surrendering air guns and other weapons they used for hunting.
In November, 2021, the Forest Department of Arunachal Pradesh received the 'Conservation Award' on November 18, 2021, for its outstanding step, 'Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address to the nation on the 84th episode in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' on December 26, 2021, applauded the Arunachal administration for the effective initiative to save the rich flora and fauna of the state and country.
Minister Mama Natung urged the elders and GBs to impose strict rules to preserve wild life and to take action against those whose break the law.
"We need to change in our mindset of looking at birds and animals only as sources of meat as hunting isn't a necessity in today's age. We need to understand the role of wildlife in balancing the environment," said Natung.
Adding a boost in the 'Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan', Puinnyo Apum, a native of the Lower Dibang Valley, voluntarily surrendered his .22 caliber air gun worth Rs 3.5 lakh. This is the most expensive gun ever surrendered voluntarily by any individual. (ANI)
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