Kohima Forest Division launched an initiative called “Green Box” at principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) & head of forest force (HoFF) office complex, here on Friday.
At the launching event, PCCF & HoFF, environment, forests and climate change, Nagaland, Dharmendra Prakash hoped that the initiative would help people in the rural areas learn and be inspired to write down their activities.
He said that people who documented what they had learned were able to pass on that knowledge to their children and added that the pursuit of knowledge should not end in people acquiring certain positions or jobs.
While highlighting the importance of reading, Prakash also pointed out that books alone were insufficient and that there were numerous conservation techniques which could be learned from farmers as well.
Prakash cited examples of how jhum cultivation turned out to beneficial for the environment when for a long time it was thought to be otherwise.
He said that although forest lands in Nagaland were owned by individuals, the forest cover never dropped below the national average.
All these, he said proved that the knowledge of “our” forefathers were priceless and something which could be learned even by government officials.
District forest officer, Rajkumar M highlighted the project and how it started. He said that after observing feedbacks from the villages acquired in the first phase, the project would be extended to other villages across the state.
Rajkumar also disclosed that interested individuals could donate both used and new books for the project either though courier or by personally handing it over to DFO’s office, Kohima.
It may be mentioned that Green Box is a collection of more than 50 assorted books on nature and wildlife written by various renowned writers from around the world. During the phase one of the initiative, these boxes were handed over to three villages including Sendenyu, Zhadima and Jakhama which were collected by village representatives.
Earlier, the launching programme was chaired by Kohima Range, ranger Pezaneinuo Chielie while Kohima forest division, ACF Dr. Devono Seletsu proposed vote of thanks.