Arunachal: Minister asks hunters to join ‘Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan’

Yingkiong: Arunachal Pradesh Forest and Environment Minister Mama Natung on Thursday called upon wildlife hunters in the state to stop looking at birds and animals as a source of meat and instead join the government’s ‘Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan’ in protecting them.

“We need to change our mindset of looking at birds and animals only as a source of meat, as hunting isn’t a necessity in today’s date. We also need to understand the important role that wildlife plays in balancing the environment,” Natung said.

The minister was addressing a gathering on the sidelines of the ‘Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan’ programme at the multi-purpose community hall here. The ‘Air Gun Surrender Abhiyan’ is an initiative of the state government to dissuade hunting and create awareness on the ill effects of killing wildlife. More than 2,000 airguns have been surrendered by the people of the state under the initiative so far. Air guns are commonly used by people to hunt birds.