Tangkhul Body Bans Hunting of Gibbons and Hornbills Across 252 Manipur Village

Ukhrul, June 5: On World Environment Day, the Tangkhul Naga Awung Long (TNAL) has officially announced ban on the hunting, poaching, killing, trade, or harming of Hoolock gibbons and Hornbill across its entire jurisdiction. The decision, passed under the leadership of TNAL President Mr. Kashung Tennyson, applies to all 252 villages under its authority across six districts of Manipur.

The resolution, first adopted during an emergency assembly held on 8 October 2024 (Resolution No. 1), enforces a strict and immediate prohibition on any activities threatening these endangered species. Violations will be met with community service penalties.

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“These species are at the verge of extinction and they are vital to our local ecosystem,” TNAL stated in its official notice. “In this regard, we urge every member to cooperate fully with this directive. Let us collectively strive to protect and conserve our precious wildlife for our future generation.”

The directive also calls upon the community to uphold the values passed down by their ancestors:
“Let us remember that our forefathers co-existed with their environment peacefully, in rhythm with nature. Our traditions and festivals must be celebrated in harmony with our God-given Mother Nature.”

This ban follows TNAL’s earlier prohibition on Pangolin hunting in 2024 and reflects a growing shift within the community, from preserving tradition to embracing environmental stewardship. It is supported by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which has been working in the region under its Pangolin Conservation Project, backed by the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Pangolin Crisis Fund.

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“This is not just a ban, it is a pledge to protect our natural heritage,” said Mr. Tennyson. “The call of the gibbon and the flight of the hornbill must remain a part of our forests, not our memories.”

WTI CEO Jose Louies added, “This resolution reflects a deep rooted cultural change. We are proud to see our work with pangolins inspiring broader community action. When indigenous leadership aligns with conservation science, real change happens.”

TNAL and WTI will install sensitisation signages across villages to raise awareness about the ecological role and legal protection of the Hoolock gibbon and hornbill, two of Northeast India’s most iconic and threatened species.