In News: A hub of timber operations, the Singchung forests, located in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, are now a shining example of how involving the community in forest conservation can bear good fruits.
Key Highlights:
- Once dotted with timber log camps, the Sinchung forests area is now a colorful mosaic of tourist camps.
- By successfully involving the local Bugun tribe in conservation, the forest department has turned the tide.
- The conservation programme focuses especially on Bugun Liocichla, a passerine bird discovered in the forests near Singchung village.
Bugun Tribe
- Bugun Tribe also known as the Khowa is a tribal group in India.
- They live mainly in the subtropical Tenga Velley or Singchung Administrative Circle of West Kameng district.
- The whole native population of Bugun Tribe is under 6-Thrizino-Buragaon Assembly Constituency of the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Singchung Bugun Community Reserve
- Singchung Bugun Community Reserve is 17 square km biodiversity hotspot in Arunachal Pradesh.
- It was instituted under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- It is home to critically endangered bird species Bugun Liocichla, which is not reported anywhere else in world.
- It lies right next to Eaglesnest Wildlife sanctuary, a biodiversity hotspot, which is also home to the bird species.
Bugun Liocichla
- The bird was identified as a new species in 2006 and is reportedly only new bird species to have been discovered in India since 1947.
- It has been named after Bugun tribe because of their conservation efforts.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified Liocichla as Critically Endangered (CR).
- There are only about 20-24 pairs which live in the area.
Earning by Conservation
- Bird tourism was introduced for the first time in 2005.
- Members of the Singchung Village Council, who are part of the Community Reserve Management Committee of the state Forest and Environment department, extend full support to birdwatchers, nature lovers and adventure eco-tourists, while ensuring that there is no damage to the ecosystem.
- The village council also institutionalized a community-based wildlife tourism programme in the region.
- In this way, the local people earn additional income while conserving nature.
Timber Contractors as Forest Protectors,Timber Contractors as Forest Protectors
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