ZIRO, Oct 10: There was a palpable sense of excitement across the Ziro Valley this week as the Hapoli Forest Division successfully concluded a vibrant, four-day celebration for the 72nd Wildlife Week and the inaugural Ziro Bird and Butterfly Festival. Bringing together 630 passionate participants-ranging from school children and local elders to seasoned scientists and district officials-the event turned out to be a powerful reminder of what community-led conservation can achieve. Led by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tilling Takar and backed by Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme, the festival successfully blended frontline field research with deep-rooted cultural pride.

The journey began well before the main festival kicked off, thanks to enthusiastic pre-event creative competitions hosted alongside the Apatani Student Union. Local schools buzzed with energy as students poured their hearts into essay writing, poetry, and wildlife paintings. When Day 1 officially opened at Saint Claret College, over 450 attendees and 19 local organizations gathered to take a collective pledge to protect their natural heritage. The atmosphere was electric, featuring stunning flora and fauna exhibitions, eye-opening technical sessions on wildlife laws and reptile safety, and incredible cultural highlights like traditional music alongside high-energy MMA and boxing exhibitions by local youth groups.

The momentum carried seamlessly into Day 2, as Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme flagged off a spirited trekking cohort from Manipolyang. Wearing commemorative T-shirts and strictly adhering to a zero-waste, plastic-free protocol, participants journeyed deep into the pristine Pange Camp within the Tale Wildlife Sanctuary. As night fell, the forest came alive with expert-led sessions: participants gathered around to study incredible moth diversity alongside birding and butterfly workshops guided by specialists from Bird Count India, ATREE, and the Wildlife Trust of India.

Days 3 and 4 felt like a true immersion into nature. Mornings began early with quiet, breath-held bird-watching walks and hands-on butterfly identification on the famous Orchid Trail, where kids and adults alike learned directly from conservation ecologists. Evening research presentations and documentary screenings sparked deep conversations about protecting local ecosystems. During the final valedictory ceremony at Pange, smiles and cheers filled the air as competition winners and participants received their certificates and awards. In his closing remarks, DFO Tilling Takar announced hopes to make the festival a permanent fixture on the state calendar, while RFO Reddy Bei delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks that left everyone inspired to keep guarding Ziro's rich wilderness for generations to come. (DIPRO)