An awareness program on bear conservation brought together 52 village chiefs at the Maha Area Chiefs Association Community Hall in Chandel on Friday, under the initiative of the District Forest Officer (DFO).
Speaking at the event, Dr. N. Munal Meitei, DFO/Chandel, explained that while eight species of bears exist worldwide, Manipur is home to three—the Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, and Malayan Sun Bear. He emphasized that the Himalayan or Asiatic Black Bear, the most common in the state’s forests, is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, with strict penalties for harming them.
The DFO appealed to communities to coexist with the species and avoid activities that threaten their survival. “Living in harmony with these animals is vital for the health of our forests and the balance of our ecosystem,” he said.
The program also saw participation from Angam Jasha, Chairman of MACA, Range Officers Dausel Reuben and K. Pawankumar, and W.L. Robartson, Secretary of Ananlol Chiefs Association, who echoed the call for community-driven conservation.
The initiative, first launched in May, is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness across Chandel and encourage local communities to play a central role in protecting bears and their habitats.
