Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday called for a sensitive and community-focused approach in addressing forest-related issues, emphasizing the need to respect the traditions and rights of indigenous tribal communities.

Speaking at the 4th meeting of the XXIV State Board for Wildlife, Khandu said that ecological protection should be pursued alongside the welfare of local communities, who have traditionally been the custodians of the state’s forests.

He urged the Forest Department to handle its work with cultural awareness and care, ensuring that conservation efforts do not adversely affect the lives of tribal populations.

“Protecting our forests is important, but protecting the people who have called these forests home for generations is just as vital. When we honour both, we build a future that is sustainable, just, and rooted in respect,” Khandu said in a post on X.