Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla today presided over the grand finale of the 71st Wildlife Week Celebration 2025 at the City Convention Centre, Imphal. Organised by the Forest Department, the week-long event was held under the theme “Human–Wildlife Co-existence.” Chief Secretary, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Principal Secretary (Forest, Environment & Climate Change), and other officials attended the occasion.
During the event, the 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 with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
The Governor unveiled a book titled “Flight, Fur & Fangs – Encounters with the Wilderness of Manipur Forests” and launched the Forest Resources Assessment & Monitoring System (FRAMS), a web application developed with NESAC (ISRO). Incentive prizes were awarded to winners of a wildlife-themed painting competition, and NGOs, civil society organisations, police personnel, and other contributors were felicitated for their efforts in wildlife conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Bhalla highlighted the importance of human–wildlife co-existence, noting the state’s ecological treasures, including Keibul Lamjao National Park, the Sangai deer, and the recently sighted wild elephants in Kamjong District. He described the return of elephants after decades as “a message of hope from nature itself,” emphasizing that protecting wildlife habitats ensures ecological balance.
The Governor lauded the Forest Department, conservationists, and local communities for making Manipur a model of community-driven conservation. Citing successful initiatives like the Amur Falcon protection programme in Tamenglong and community-led Sangai conservation, he urged citizens, students, and civil society members to continue wildlife protection beyond the week-long celebration.
The event concluded with the Governor visiting the Wildlife Photography Exhibition, appreciating works that showcased the beauty and diversity of Manipur’s forests.