Commending the ‘Airgun Surrender Abhiyan’ initiated by Arunachal Pradesh Environment & Forests Minister Mama Natung to protect and preserve the flora and fauna, the Bhikshu Sangha felicitated the minister on Friday at his residence in East Kameng district.

The Sangha’s members, led by Ven Dondup Tsering Khen Rinpoche, along with Ven Lama Kalsang and Ven Phassang Tsering, handed over an ‘appreciation certificate’ and a handcrafted table to the minister as a mark of respect.

The minister urged the monks to extend support from their end in creating awareness regarding drug abuse in the society. He said “the state government will soon initiate a campaign for licenced guns in the state.” Natung further informed the monks that at least 900 airguns have been surrendered till date and people are still surrendering their guns voluntarily.

The Rinpoche expressed appreciation for the minister for his effort to protect and preserve wildlife. “There are teachings in Buddhism about nonviolence and to love and preserve every living creature, and so it is very praiseworthy to mention that, being a minister, you have taken a noble decision to preserve wildlife,” the Rinpoche said.

Natung on his part thanked the Rinpoche and his team for coming all the way from Bomdila, and said “it is our duty to protect and preserve wildlife; else a day will come when we have to only read and learn about birds and other wildlife in books.”