Arunachal Pradesh: The Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival, Nyishi Tribe, and Wildlife Conservation
1: Understanding the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival
- The Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) is a state festival of Arunachal Pradesh. The 9th edition was celebrated in January 2024 with the theme 'Let Our Hornbills Remain'.
- The festival, inaugurated in 2015, is a tribute to the rich culture of the local tribes and the biodiversity of the region.
- The role of the Nyishi tribe in hornbill conservation is particularly highlighted through this festival.
- The festival aims to promote alternative livelihoods, reducing harmful practices such as hunting and logging.
- It also increases national awareness of the unique biodiversity of the Pakke Tiger Reserve.
2: Spotlight on the Pakke Tiger Reserve
- The Pakke Tiger Reserve, located in East Kameng district, was renamed thus in 2001, from its previous nomenclature, Pakhui Tiger Reserve.
- Covering an area of 862 km², the reserve falls under the Department of Environment and Forest of Arunachal Pradesh.
- The reserve hosts 343 woody species, over 40 mammal species, 296 bird species, 500 butterfly species, along with various reptile and amphibian species.
3: Unveiling the Nyishi Tribe
- The Nyishi community, the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh, boasts a population of around 300,000 people.
- The Nyishi language falls in the Sino-Tibetan language family group.
- The community practises polygyny, a social marker of status and economic stability.
- Predominantly agrarian, the Nyishi people rely on jhum cultivation, growing crops such as paddy, maize, ginger, and various vegetables.
- Their traditional attire, especially their distinctive headgear adorned with hornbill beaks, underscores their cultural identity.
- Nyokum festival is a culturally significant event, celebrating their connection to ancestors.
4: The Nyishi Tribe and Hornbill Conservation
- The traditional Nyishi practice of using hornbill beaks in their attire harms the hornbill population.
- Organisations such as the Arunachal Wildlife and Nature Foundation and the Wildlife Trust of India work to curb hunting practices and safeguard the hornbills.
5: Nyishi-Led Conservation Initiatives
- The Nyishi community actively contributes to wildlife conservation, supporting the Ghora Aabhe Society, a recognized conservation organisation.
- With the introduction of Christian missionaries, there has been a shift in the Nyishi's religious beliefs from traditional Donyi-Poloism, exerting an influence on their societal practices including wildlife conservation.
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