Nongkhyllem May 22: With the objective to study the diversity of plant and animal population and also the level of biodiversity conservation measures being practiced, he students and faculty of the Department of Environment and Traditional Ecosystems, Martin Luther Christian University today observed the International Day for Biological Diversity with a field visit to the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Umling, RiBhoi District about 73.9 Kms away from the capital city of Shillong.
The visit was organized as part of the students’ Experiential Learning, to help the students link classroom teaching with onsite examples.
After the initial briefing by the forest officials about the history of the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary including the recorded number of species of plants and animals notwithstanding the rare and endemic species, the students were taken round the Sanctuary which helped the students to witness for themselves the magnitude of wildlife diversity and the effectiveness of protective area regulation in maintenance and enhancement of wild populations in their natural habitats.
Nongkhyllem is the second largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya with a total are of 29 Sq Kms. The others being Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary in South Garo Hills with an area of 0.02 Sq Kms, Siju Wildlife Sanctuary also in South Garo hills with an area of 5.18 Sq Kms while the largest Wildlife Sanctuary in the state is the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary in East Jiantia Hills with a total area of 59.90 Sq Kms.
Though the students did not encounter any of the wild animals in the Sanctuary, the forest officials informed that the animals present in Nongkhyllem include the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Bison, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard, Brown Hornbill, Manipur Bush Quail, Rufous Necked Hornbill, and hundred other species of birds and insects. Exotic migratory birds also arrive in the sanctuary from far off regions or countries. The officials also led the students to some of the most frequented areas of the animals where they come out to hunt and drink water.
They also informed that there are many trap cameras placed across the Sanctuary to help keep track of the animals and also to ensure that no harm come to them from human interference.
The forest officials who led the team of students and faculty include Mr. JM War, Forester One, Beat Officer Lailad Forest Beat, Mr. Nip Syngkli, Forester and Mr. James Rani, Forest Guard all from the Lailad Forest Beat.
The visit also drove home the glaring rate at which species extinction is taking place all over the globe and the urgency for the students, faculty to play an active role in biodiversity preservation by involving the community.
