Airgun UNESCO

1. Arunachal’s Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, received international recognition for the Airgun Surrender Abhiyan.
2. The recognition took place at UNESCO’s International Conference on Biosphere Reserves in Sabah, Malaysia.
3. Dr. Damodhar A.T., IFS, Director of Dehang-Debang Biosphere Reserve, accepted the honor on behalf of the minister.

Malaysia, Nov 14: Arunachal Pradesh’s Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Mama Natung, achieved international recognition as the Airgun Surrender Abhiyan, a wildlife conservation initiative he leads, was honored at UNESCO’s International Conference on Biosphere Reserves in Sabah, Malaysia.

The honor was received by Dr. Damodhar A.T., IFS, the Director of Dehang-Debang Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, on behalf of the minister.

The initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Minister Mama Natung, encourages people to voluntarily surrender their airguns and licensed guns to prevent the killing of birds and other wildlife. Launched on March 17, 2021, the program gained momentum across districts, with over 2400 airguns and 9 licensed guns surrendered.

Dr. Damodhar A.T. presented India’s country report and the success story of Airgun Surrender Abhiyan as the keynote speaker at the UNESCO conference. The initiative’s impact is notable, with increased bird sightings and conservation messages reaching local communities.

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The program was recognized at the 6th North East Green Summit and featured in the 84th edition of Mann Ki Baat, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the effort.

Dr. Damodar expressed gratitude for the honor and highlighted the respect shown to India by the Malaysian Government on the global platform. The success of Airgun Surrender Abhiyan demonstrates Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to wildlife conservation and has become a model recognized worldwide.