2006-7 annual report - Nature Conservation Foundation

in determining levels of hunting, with animistic tribes
hunting more than Buddhist tribes. Hunting of species
such as musk deer, takin and black bear was common
among the Meyor who knew the high market value of
animal products such as musk pods and bear gall bladder
and reported selling these in towns.
The number of active hunters and levels of hunting
were higher in remote villages compared to villages
that had road access and were closer to towns. Remote
villages have few alternate employment opportunities
compared to villages closer to towns and people have
more free time to go hunting. The level of awareness
was low in the region except in Nishi villages around
the Pakke Tiger Reserve (East Kameng) and among the
Monpa in Tawang, where people were aware of wildlife
laws against hunting and reported lower levels of hunting.
The survey also documented a variety of indigenous
traps and snares, the economic value of animal species
and products, the ritual significance and use of certain
species and taboos related to hunting
Linking rural energy and nature conservation in a tribal village in Arunachal Pradesh
One village was selected last year to provide alternate
rural energy options (solar power for lighting, fuel-efficient
cooking stoves and water heating gadgets) primarily
to reduce the high dependence on forests for fuelwood
and also to improve quality of life for the villagers.
This has generated tremendous goodwill among the villagers
and they reiterated their no-hunting pledges in
meetings this year. The project has been approved by
the Department of Science & Technology and work is
expected to commence later this year.
Team
• Project investigator: Aparajita Datta
• Collaborators: Dr. Harini Nagendra, ATREE; Phupla Singpho, SEACOW; Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan, NCBS; Dr. M. D.
Madhusudan, NCF; Nandita Hazarika, Ecosystems-India
• Research Affiliates: Rohit Naniwadekar, M. O. Anand, Somajita Paul, Vena Kapoor, Meghna Krishadas, Jiffy James
Vadakkan, Ambika Aiyadurai
• Field staff: Late Taya Tayum, Narayan Mogar, Rasham Barra, Kumar Tayum (all in Pakke TR); Akhi Nathany,
Duchaye Yobin, Ngwa-akhi Yobin, Shekhar Subba, Khichaye Yobin (in Namdapha TR);
• Other programme staff: Joshua Yobin, Phuyohey Yobin, Ngwashosey Yobin, Yumaphu Yobin, Selisa Yobin, Tsiyosa
Yobin, Selifa Yobin
• Artwork: Maya Ramaswamy
• Design and Production: Pavithra Sankaran
Funding agencies
• Rufford Foundation, UK
• Ford Foundation, New Delhi
• Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, USA (Wildlife Conservation Society, USA)
• Katha, New Delhi
• Individual donors: Nicholas Thompson, Ravi Subramanian
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annual
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