In 2010, a team of wildlife enthusiasts carried out four field visits to various parts of Nagaland. The trips threw up significant wildlife sightings as well as equally challenging conservation issues. It became evident that concentrated input was needed in the region before imbalance became permanent. After detailed discussions with senior officials of the Department of Forests, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife, Nagaland, the Nagaland Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation concept was developed. The Project aims to use innovative conservation approaches based on scientific knowledge and research. In May 2011, the state Forest Department supported a sample survey of documenting the wildlife and biodiversity in eight different locations across the state. The exercise was conducted with the assistance of wildlife scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore. Based on the study, a programme for the creation of youth leaders in conservation is currently being fine-tuned. Recognising the fact that over 90% of the forested region of Nagaland is community owned forest, the Project further envisages collaborating with various community groups across the state to promote conservation awareness programmes that will help promote sustainable use of biological resources, in turn, protecting myriad species from facing extinction in time to come.
Nagaland Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation Project (NWBCP) Post Box No. 472, India Post Office Super Market Complex Dimapur - 797112 Nagaland
Email : info@nagalandconservation.in www.nagalandconservation.in Cover Photograph : A Chang warrior from Tuensang district of Nagaland in traditional attire
2013 JANUARY
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Much like the Yimchunger, Khiamniungan migrated to Tuensang district of Nagaland from upper Myanmar. Dressed in bright red and deep blue colours, with feathered headgear adorned with animal body parts such as tiger claws and wild boar tusks, they are extremely striking.
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The ‘Festival of all Festivals’, is the ‘Hornbill Festival’the only festival celebrated by all 17 major tribes of the state. Of the many events at the festival, greased bamboo pole climbing is one of the most popular competitions.
1 to 7 - Hornbill Festival 25 - Christmas 26 - Boxing Day (USA)
2013 FEBRUARY
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Most traditional houses in Kigwema were burnt down during the fierce battle of Kohima between the Allied and the Japanese troops during the Second World War. This is a representation of a traditional Angami house in the village, adorned by the sacred hues of the tribe.
25 - Sekrenyi (Angami) Last Week - Meileinyi/Hega (Zeliang)
2013 NOVEMBER
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A Khiamniungan in traditional harvest dress holds a cane stick used to thresh paddy while sipping on rice beer.
3 - Diwali 7 - Tokhu Emong (Lotha) 14 - Muharrum 14 to 15 - Ahuna (Sumi) 17 - Guru Nanak Jayanthi Last week - Ngada (Rengma)
2013 MARCH
A covey of Blood Pheasants (Ithaginis cruentus) Trumshingla Pass, Bhutan
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Living mostly in the Senapati district of Manipur and Phek district of Nagaland, Poumai are known for their pottery skills and salt production. The head gear donned by the women is a distinct identification feature of the women.
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2013 OCTOBER
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Tenyimia group comprises of tribes such as the Angmai, Chakhesang, Rengma and Zeliang. Blue feathers of birds such as the Kingfisher and the Pitta, find a place in the ornamentation of all these tribes, including the Chakhesang as seen here.
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2 - Mahatma Gandhi Jayanthi First Week - Tsoküm (Khiamniungan) 31 - Halloween (USA) Last Week - Langsimnyi/Chagagadi (Zeliang)
2013 APRIL
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The Phom Nagas of Longleng district are settled between the Konyak in the north-east, Ao in the west and Chang in the south. Phom means “cloud” and is a name coined by their neighbours since their hilly terrain is always covered by clouds. They continue to maintain much of their traditional culture.
1 to 6 - Aoleang Monyu (Konyak) 1 to 6 - Monyu (Phom) 24 - Mahavir Jayanthi 24 - Tsükhenye (Chakhesang)
2013 SEPTEMBER
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Morung or ‘bachelor’s dormitory’ is an important cultural component of most tribes in Nagaland. Here, older members of the Konyak tribe sit in front of an intricately carved morung, themselves bearing tattoos, a mark of their prowess as head-hunters.
2 - Labor Day (USA) First Week - Amongmong (Sangtam) 9 - Ganesh Chaturthi
2013 MAY
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Nagaland is home to 17 recognised tribes and several other sub-tribes each with their unique language, culture and traditions. Hence, the state witnesses a plethora of festivities year-round. Here colourfully dressed Sumi dancers perform a war dance at a heavily packed pantheon.
First Week - Moatsu (Ao) 25 - Bhudda Purnima 27 - Memorial Day (USA)
2013 AUGUST
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Many tribes living along the NagalandMyanmar border are known for their characteristic headgears made of bird feathers and wild boar tusks.
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4 to 8 - Metemniu (Yimchunger) 15 - Independence Day 28 - Krishna Janmastami
2013 JUNE
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Once spread across the entire Brahmaputra Valley, the Kachari are one of the oldest tribes in north-east India that established a kingdom at Dimapur.
2013 JULY
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The Sumi or Sema tribe inhabit the district of Zunheboto. They are known for their martial skills.
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2014 Calendar & Holidays
Located in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, Nagaland is home to a unique assemblage of biodiversity. Although, 56% of the geographical area of the state is under forest cover, only 1.3% of it is covered by state administered protected areas. The remaining forested region is owned by different indigenous communities, most of which depend extensively on bush-meat for subsistence. In recent times, many members of local communities have taken to commercial form of hunting due to extensive demand for bush-meat and an accelerated population growth along with unemployment. Extensive awareness campaigns that focus on biodiversity conservation and conceptualisation of revenue generating sources that allow local communities to economically and culturally benefit more from their rich biodiversity as opposed to extirpating it, would be the only way to safe guard this rich heritage of the region. We need your support and help to achieve this goal. Contact us if you think you can help us in any way.
Nagaland Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Project (NWBCP), Post Box No. 472, India Post Office, Super Market Complex, Dimapur - 797112, Nagaland Email : info@nagalandconservation.in www.nagalandconservation.in
Photographs: Ramki Sreenivasan and Sandesh Kadur Text and Layout: Priya Singh and Bano Haralu Graphic Designer: George Thengummoottil Design and Layout: Felis Creations, Bangalore
Print By: Pragati Offset www.pragati.com