Senapati, October 9: The Senapati Forest Division joined the Grand Finale of the 71st Wildlife Week Celebration 2025 via video conference from Naikampoi Area under Yangkhullen village on Thursday. The Grand Finale, held at the City Convention Centre in Imphal, was graced by the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, as Chief Guest, and Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS, Chief Secretary, Manipur, as Guest of Honour.

The team from the Senapati Forest Division was led by Koso Chokhoni, Range Forest Officer, Mao Range and R. Kishei, Deputy Range Forest Officer, Senapati Forest Division, along with the staff of Mao Range. The programme was also attended by the Chairman and Secretary of Bendramai village. The IMS team from Senapati provided technical support for the video conferencing.

Marking the occasion, the Hon’ble Governor remotely released rescued wild animals, including the Burmese Python, Bengal Slow Loris, Myanmar Box Turtle, and Leopard Cats, back into their natural habitats. He also launched the Manipur Bear Conservation Project, a collaborative initiative between the Forest Department and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) aimed at protecting and restoring the bear population in the state.

The 71st Wildlife Week 2025 was held under the theme “Human–Wildlife Co-existence.” In Senapati, the celebration was observed in alignment with the Forest Department, Government of Manipur. Under the initiative of Divisional Forest Officer Shanngam S, the Senapati Forest Division organised a range of awareness activities and educational programmes to promote environmental consciousness and wildlife conservation.

Key events included awareness campaigns aimed at fostering a sense of responsibility for wildlife protection among the public, particularly youth and school students. Other highlights were wildlife painting and essay competitions, as well as a district-level quiz competition that encouraged participation and dialogue on biodiversity conservation.

Commending the efforts of the Forest Department, conservationists, and community members, the Governor lauded Manipur’s model of community-driven conservation, where people’s participation has become central to success. Referring to the Amur Falcon protection efforts in Tamenglong and community-led Sangai conservation, he called on citizens, students, and civil society to carry forward the spirit of conservation beyond the week’s celebrations.