Introduction

• The 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) is set to take place in Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the region’s commitment to wildlife conservation, with a special focus on hornbills.
• This festival, scheduled from January 18-20, 2024, at Seijosa in the Pakke Kessang district, brings together diverse communities to unite in their efforts to protect these iconic birds and promote environmental awareness.

Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival

• Festival’s Theme: “Domutoh Domutoh, Paga hum Domutoh”

• Meaning: Translating to “Let Our Hornbills Remain” in the Nyishi language, this year’s theme underscores the critical importance of preserving these magnificent birds.
• Conservation Advocacy: PPHF serves as a platform to advocate for the protection of hornbill populations and their natural habitats.

Emphasis on Wildlife Conservation

• Hornbill Species: The Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Arunachal Pradesh is home to four hornbill species: Wreathed, Great Indian, Oriental Pied, and the endangered Rufous-necked hornbill.
• Nyishi Tribal Contribution: The festival recognizes the Nyishi, Arunachal Pradesh’s largest tribal group, for their pivotal role in hornbill conservation. They transitioned from hunting hornbills to becoming advocates for their preservation.
• Alternative Income: PPHF aims to generate alternative sources of income for the region and raise awareness about PTR and its surroundings, fostering economic development while preserving the environment.

Back2Basics: Great Indian Hornbill

• IUCN status: Vulnerable (uplisted from Near Threatened in 2018), CITES: Appendix I
• The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) also known as the great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family.
• The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity.
• It is predominantly fruit-eating, but is an opportunist and preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds.
• Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals.
• A large majority of their population is found in India with a significant proportion in the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris.
• The nesting grounds of the birds in the Nilgiris North Eastern Range are also believed to support some of their highest densities.
• Referred to as ‘forest engineers’ or ‘farmers of the forest’ for playing a key role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees, hornbills indicate the prosperity and balance of the forest they build nests.

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