Shirui village in Manipur is using camera traps to document the rich biodiversity within its forest commons. This effort complements a community-led initiative that began with a ban on hunting to protect wildlife habitats, including those of the endemic Shirui Lily and Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant.
Patrick Shangh, a resident and co-founder of the local conservation group ENFOGAL, began installing camera traps in 2025, supported by a grant from Idea Wild. Former hunters, like Pamreithing Luireiwo, leverage their forest knowledge to help identify optimal locations for the camera traps. To date, they have documented 15 mammal and 321 bird species, including endangered and vulnerable species such as the dhole and Blyth’s tragopan.
The village authority has decided to extend the conservation initiative for another three years, from 2027 to 2029. The upcoming phase will involve the Shirui Youth Club and the Shirui Katamnao Long in monitoring, enforcement, and documentation, aiming for a more evidence-based and sustainable system of wildlife conservation. The long-term vision includes developing Shirui as a model village integrating conservation with sustainable livelihoods and ecotourism.
Source: Down To Earth