‘CONSERVATION WON’T BE SUCCESSFUL, UNTIL WE PROVIDE LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS’
The second edition of Nagaland Regional Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum (EHNF) 2021 was held on August 1 at Sukhai village under Zunheboto district. The Nagaland Regional Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum was hosted in partnership with the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) and The Energy and Resources Institute of India (TERI).
According to a DIPR report, the forum was held to bring together community voices, government officers, SHG groups, farmers and indigenous organisations towards understanding community conservation model in Sukhai and exploring opportunities for a sustainable future.
The theme of the forum was “understanding the socio-economic conservation models for biodiversity preservation in community conserved areas”.
Chairman of Sukhai Community Conserved Area (CCA) and leader to Tizu Valley Biodiversity and Community Livelihood Network (TVBCLN), Ivan Jimo highlighted on the indigenous culture and tradition of Sema Naga communities which were interlinked to nature since time immemorial.
“For a conservation model to be successful, as much the indigenous knowledge of the community is essential, the participation and engagement of indigenous women in the decision-making process is an important aspect for effective implementation”, Zhimo expressed.
During a presentation on “biodiversity vis-a- vis shifting cultivation to Nagaland” by POU of Nagaland Empowerment through People Economic Development (NEPED) and the General Secretary to Sukhai CCA Pikato V. Jimo talked about traditional farming practices once practiced in the CCAs across Sukhai and nearby villages.
Jimo said that “conservation won’t be successful, until we provide livelihood options” and that shifting cultivation did not always degrade the ecology.
In this regard, he said that it was far more economically and biologically sustainable way of farming when compared to settled form of agriculture.
Highlighting Article 371A and land ownership in Nagaland, chief conservator of forest (environment, biodiversity & research), Nagaland, Supongnukshi stated that forest and ecosystem management in the state involves many stakeholders like, forest department, agricultural department and civil Societies, amongst others.
“As per Forest Survey of India report, 2019, over 75.31 % of total geographical area of Nagaland is under forest cover. Open Forest category of forest lands largely fall under the jhum fallow lands”, he informed.
The Nagaland regional EHNF witnessed deliberations and presentations from panel of other speakers such as Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaursia- head & sr scientist to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Nagaland, Heirang Lungalang- chairman to the Nagaland Community Conservation Area’s Forum (NCCAF) and Rokongulie Meyase – Professional bird guide and tour operator from Khonoma CCA.
Altogether, 35 participants including resource persons, community representatives and volunteers attended the forum which was organised by Balipara Foundation, a non-profit organisation nestled in Assam in the Eastern Himalayas.
It may be mentioned that Balipara Foundation in coming days envisions to work closely with indigenous communities of Nagaland through its flagship project rural futures and Naturenomics™ to ensure a sustainable future for the state and celebrate indigenous conservationists as custodians of natural landscapes – protecting and preserving their lands.
The Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum was launched in 2013 to find solutions leading to important lessons for the communities and others, at all levels, from local to global.
The grassroots colloquium was designed to explore indigenous perspectives on rural futures context such as biodiversity conservation, community led habitat restoration, harmonic co-existence with nature, grassroots climate action, etc.