Context:
In January 2024, the 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF), a state festival of Arunachal Pradesh was celebrated with a theme ‘Let Our Hornbills Remain’.
- Recognition of the Nyishi Tribe: The Festival aims to Celebrating their Contribution to Hornbill Conservation in the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR)
About Nyishi Tribe
- It belongs to the largest tribal group in Arunachal Pradesh.
- They also live in the Sonitpur and North Lakhimpur districts of Assam.
- Their language, Nyishi, belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family.
- Polygyny is prevalent among the Nyishi.
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About Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF)
- Origin: The first-ever Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival was held in January 2015, with the aim of recognising the efforts of the Nyishi hunters-turned-conservationists of hornbills.
- Focus on: Wildlife conservation, with a particular emphasis on hornbills.
About Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR)
- In 2002, it received the status of 26th Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
- It is also known as Pakhui Tiger Reserve.
- Located in: In the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh
- Surrounded by:
- North: Tenga Reserve Forest
- South: Nameri National Park and Tiger Reserve (Assam)
- East: Papum Reserve Forest
- West: Doimara Reserve Forest
- Significance: It forms the transition zone between the Indian and Malayan ecoregions.
- Flora: Semi-evergreen and evergreen forests
- Fauna: Wreathed, Great Indian, Oriental Pied and the endangered Rufous-necked.
- It is also home to the Nyishi community.
- Achievement: Pakke Tiger Reserve has won the India Biodiversity Award 2016 for the Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme in the “Conservation of threatened species” category.
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About Hornbill (Bucerotidae)
- Geographical Spread: Himalayan foothills, the Northeast and the Western Ghats, Tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia.
- In India: India is home to nine species of hornbills and within India the northeastern region has the highest diversity of hornbill species.
- Significance: Gardeners or farmers of the forest for their significant role in dispersing seeds.
- State Bird: Great Hornbill is the state bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Threats: Illegal logging, forest clearance, hunting for meat and medicinal value of body parts.
- Conservation Status:
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: 40% of hornbills are Globally Threatened or Near Threatened with extinction, with all other species listed as Least Concern
- The Great hornbill is vulnerable.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I
Also Read: Tiger Reserves In India
News Source: Down to Earth
January 19, 2024