Nagaland Communities Step Up Efforts to Protect Endangered Pangolins

A growing conservation movement in Nagaland is helping protect pangolins, among the world’s most trafficked and endangered mammals, through community-led action and stricter local regulations.

The initiative gained attention after the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP), the apex tribal body of the Sangtam Naga community, announced a ban on pangolin hunting across 42 villages in Kiphire district. The move aims to curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade, which have significantly threatened pangolin populations in recent years.

Pangolins play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Feeding primarily on ants and termites, the animals help control insect populations, support soil health, and contribute to the overall stability of forest ecosystems. Conservationists warn that a decline in pangolin numbers could have wider environmental consequences.

Despite legal protections, pangolins continue to face serious threats from trafficking networks that target them for their scales and meat. The India-Myanmar border region has been identified as a major route for illegal wildlife trade, making conservation efforts in Northeast India particularly important.

Experts have welcomed the involvement of local communities, noting that village councils and tribal institutions often have a strong influence on wildlife protection. They believe community participation can complement government enforcement and produce lasting conservation results.

Wildlife advocates say the Nagaland initiative demonstrates how local leadership can play a crucial role in protecting endangered species. They hope similar efforts will be adopted elsewhere to strengthen biodiversity conservation and combat wildlife crime across the region.