Sangtam Resolution Boosts Pangolin Protection in Nagaland

The apex body of Nagaland’s Sangtam community has adopted a resolution to protect pangolins within its jurisdiction, marking a significant step in combating wildlife trafficking along the India–Myanmar border. The initiative covers areas in Kiphire and Tuensang districts, which lie close to Myanmar and are known transit routes for illegal wildlife trade.

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked wild mammals, targeted primarily for their scales and meat. The 1,643-km India–Myanmar border has emerged as a major corridor for smuggling pangolins from northeastern India to international markets.

Community-Led Conservation Initiative

The resolution was passed by the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, the apex organisation of the Sangtam tribe. Conservationists have termed it a major milestone under the Countering Pangolin Trafficking Project led by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

The project is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Pangolin Crisis Fund and focuses on reducing illegal trade through community engagement and enforcement coordination.

Critical Biodiversity Landscape

The Sangtam-inhabited region forms part of the Indo-Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot, characterised by dense forests, shifting cultivation and rich wildlife diversity. These ecological features make the area both biologically significant and vulnerable to poaching networks.

WTI initiated anti-trafficking efforts in Manipur in 2023 and later expanded operations to Nagaland, particularly in border districts identified as high-risk zones for pangolin smuggling.

Building on Regional Efforts

The Sangtam resolution follows a similar move by the Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. Such community-driven declarations strengthen grassroots enforcement and traditional governance mechanisms.

Nagaland’s tribal institutions, led by village councils and apex bodies, play a pivotal role in regulating natural resource use. Community ownership is increasingly seen as central to sustainable wildlife conservation.

Important Facts for Exams

• Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in Northeast India.
• Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals globally due to demand for scales and meat.
• The India–Myanmar border stretches approximately 1,643 km.
• The Indo-Myanmar region is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot.

Strengthening Anti-Trafficking Measures

Community leaders have emphasised that indigenous institutions are central to long-term conservation success. By aligning traditional governance with scientific conservation strategies, the Sangtam initiative signals expanding grassroots support for pangolin protection across State boundaries, reinforcing efforts to curb transnational wildlife crime.