The forests of Kasom Phungdhar came alive with learning, adventure and conservation during the 9th ENFOGAL Nature Camp, held from 2–4 October 2026 as part of Wildlife Week.
Organised jointly by ENFOGAL and Pettigrew College, Ukhrul, in partnership with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and supported by the Pangolin Crisis Fund, the three-day camp brought together young participants for an immersive experience in nature, wildlife and conservation.
The camp was formally flagged off by Dr. Ringkahao Horam, Principal of Pettigrew College, marking the beginning of three days of exploration, learning and hands-on activities. Dr. Gaikhuanlung Ngaomei, Assistant Professor and Head of Department at Pettigrew College, played an important role in mobilising the campers and encouraging their active participation throughout the programme. His support contributed greatly to bringing together the young participants and ensuring their enthusiastic involvement in the camp.
Learning Conservation from the Field
The programme combined awareness sessions with practical outdoor activities. The Ukhrul Forest Division conducted an awareness session on wildlife conservation, highlighting the importance of protecting the region’s rich biodiversity and the role of communities in safeguarding wildlife.
A dedicated session on pangolin conservation was conducted by Mohbo Nelina, Field Officer, Wildlife Trust of India, focusing on the ecological importance of pangolins, the threats they face and the need for greater community participation in their protection.
Participants also learned about natural resource management through a session led by Bjoern Wode, CTA, COSFOM Project, along with Ajay Srivastava and Johanne Eckelmann. The session explored the relationship between conservation, communities and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Stories, Rivers and Traditional Knowledge
The camp also created space for storytelling and local knowledge. Tuitha led a storytelling session on the folklore of rivers, with contributions from Thingminao Horam and Leiyachon Sareo.
The session offered participants a different perspective on conservation by connecting nature with culture, traditional stories and the long-standing relationship between communities and their rivers.
Learning Through Adventure
For the campers, conservation was not limited to classroom discussions. The programme included a range of outdoor activities such as night trails, treasure hunts, birdwatching, camera trapping and survival skills.
During the camera-trapping activity, participants were introduced to wildlife monitoring techniques and learned how camera traps can help document wildlife while minimising disturbance to animals.
The birdwatching session encouraged participants to observe the forest carefully and appreciate its diverse birdlife, while the survival-skills activities provided practical lessons on navigating and responding to challenges in the outdoors.
The night trail offered another perspective of the forest, allowing participants to experience the sights and sounds of wildlife after sunset.
Art with a Conservation Message
Creativity became another tool for conservation through a forage art activity, where participants used naturally available materials to create artworks with a special focus on pangolin conservation.
The activity encouraged participants to think creatively about the species, the threats it faces and the importance of protecting pangolins and their habitats.
From Awareness to Action
The 9th ENFOGAL Nature Camp was more than a three-day outdoor programme. It brought together young people, educators, conservation practitioners and forest officials in a shared learning environment.
By combining scientific knowledge, traditional stories, outdoor skills, wildlife monitoring, art and direct experiences in nature, the camp aimed to inspire young people to develop a deeper connection with their environment and become active participants in conservation.
Held during Wildlife Week, the camp reinforced a simple but important message: conservation begins with awareness, grows through experience, and becomes meaningful when it leads to action.
For ENFOGAL, the 9th Nature Camp once again reflected its commitment to creating opportunities for young people to learn from nature, connect with their communities and take action for wildlife and biodiversity
