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.