Ukhrul: The forests of Kasom Phungdhar in Ukhrul hosted three days of learning and outdoor activities during the ninth ENFOGAL Nature Camp, held from October 2 to 4 as part of Wildlife Week.
Organised jointly by ENFOGAL and Pettigrew College, Ukhrul, in partnership with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and with support from the Pangolin Crisis Fund, the camp brought together young participants for sessions and activities focused on wildlife, conservation and natural resource management.
The camp was formally flagged off by Dr Ringkahao Horam, principal of Pettigrew College. Dr Gaikhuanlung Ngaomei, assistant professor and head of department at the college, helped mobilise participants for the programme.
Learning conservation from the field
The programme combined awareness sessions with outdoor activities. The Ukhrul Forest Division conducted a session on wildlife conservation, focusing on the importance of protecting the region’s biodiversity and the role of communities in safeguarding wildlife.
A dedicated session on pangolin conservation was conducted by Mohbo Nelina, field officer, Wildlife Trust of India. It covered the ecological importance of pangolins, the threats faced by the species and the role of communities in their protection.
Participants also attended a session on natural resource management led by Bjoern Wode, CTA, COSFOM Project, along with Ajay Srivastava and Johanne Eckelmann. The session examined the relationship between conservation, communities and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Stories, rivers and traditional knowledge
The camp also included a storytelling session on the folklore of rivers, led by Tuitha, with contributions from Thingminao Horam and Leiyachon Sareo.
The session connected local stories and traditional knowledge with the relationship between communities and their rivers.
Learning through adventure
Outdoor activities formed a significant part of the camp, with participants taking part in night trails, treasure hunts, birdwatching, camera trapping and survival-skills activities.
During the camera-trapping activity, participants were introduced to wildlife-monitoring techniques and learned how camera traps can be used to document wildlife while minimising disturbance to animals.
The birdwatching session encouraged participants to observe and identify forest birds, while the survival-skills activities provided practical lessons in navigating and responding to challenges in the outdoors.
The night trail allowed participants to explore the forest after sunset and observe its nocturnal environment.
Art and pangolin conservation
The camp also included a forage-art activity, in which participants used naturally available materials to create artworks centred on pangolin conservation.
The activity provided another way for participants to engage with the species and the threats to its survival and habitat.
The three-day programme brought together young participants, educators, conservation practitioners and forest officials through a combination of scientific knowledge, traditional stories, outdoor activities and wildlife-monitoring exercises.
Held during Wildlife Week, the ninth ENFOGAL Nature Camp focused on giving young participants direct exposure to forests and conservation practices, including understanding local biodiversity, wildlife monitoring and the protection of species such as pangolins.
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