The inaugural Ziro Bird and Butterfly Festival commenced on Sunday at Saint Claret College in Ziro, located in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district, marking the beginning of the region’s 72nd Wildlife Week celebrations.
Following the opening session, the festival is set to move to Pange in the Tale Wildlife Sanctuary, where participants will spend three days conducting field explorations, monitoring bird and butterfly populations, and engaging in conservation activities.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Hapoli Forest Division DFO Tilling Taker and ADCF Oyang Dusu highlighted the significance of Wildlife Week and emphasized the crucial ecological role played by the region’s rich diversity of native birds and butterflies.
The event featured a series of informative sessions led by experts, including discussions on environmental policy by CCF Millo Tasser, eco-tourism by Tage Kano, bird conservation by Koj Mama, butterfly diversity by Punyo Chada, and reptile awareness by RFO Kime Rambia.
Beyond conservation-focused discussions, the opening day also celebrated local culture and youth participation. Activities included nature exhibitions, martial arts and boxing demonstrations by Abo Warriors MMA Ziro and the Lower Subansiri Amateur Boxing Association, along with cultural performances by the Danyi Rilla Group and Tilling Tubin.
Nature enthusiasts, researchers, students, and community leaders have gathered for the festival to celebrate and promote the protection of the unique ecosystems of the Ziro Valley.
The festival is an initiative of DFO Tilling Taker and is being organised in collaboration with local community stakeholders, with support from Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme. Under Taker’s leadership, the Hapoli Forest Division has adopted a community-centric approach to conserving the region’s biodiversity.
