Nagaland: Sangtam Naga Community Bans Pangolin Hunting

KOHIMA- In a significant development for wildlife conservation in Northeast India, the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP), the apex tribal body of the Sangtam Naga community, has passed a resolution banning pangolin hunting within its jurisdiction. The move is being viewed as a major step toward strengthening grassroots efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade in Nagaland’s hill districts.

The resolution comes under the broader Countering Pangolin Trafficking Project led by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) with support from the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Pangolin Crisis Fund. Conservationists say the decision reflects increasing awareness among indigenous communities about the ecological importance of pangolins and the threats posed by organised trafficking networks.

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WTI had initiated its anti-trafficking initiative in Manipur in 2023, focusing on protecting the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), two of the world’s most trafficked mammals. The programme was later expanded to Nagaland, particularly along the Indo-Myanmar border, a region identified as a critical corridor for wildlife trafficking.

The Sangtam Naga community is primarily located in Kiphire and Tuensang districts, areas characterised by dense forests, shifting cultivation landscapes, and rich biodiversity. Community governance structures — including village councils and apex tribal bodies — play a central role in regulating natural resource use, making such resolutions influential in shaping conservation outcomes.

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Field teams from WTI have reportedly engaged in sustained dialogue with local leaders over recent months, sharing information on wildlife laws, ecological impacts, and the risks associated with illegal trade. Community leaders said the resolution aims not only to protect pangolins but also to preserve cultural heritage and ecological integrity for future generations.

Conservation experts note that the decision builds on a similar resolution earlier adopted by the Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long in neighbouring Manipur, indicating a growing cross-border momentum for pangolin protection. Observers say such community-driven initiatives may prove crucial in regions where state enforcement alone faces logistical and geographical challenges.

While the resolution reinforces a ban on hunting and trade within Sangtam areas, stakeholders emphasise that long-term success will depend on sustained collaboration between local institutions, conservation groups, and government agencies.