The Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project (FBMP) funded by KfW (German Development Bank) conducted annual review and planning workshop on February 24 and 25, at the Forest Office Complex, Kohima.
Project Implementing Agencies, Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (DEFCC) and Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED) as well as its partners, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), Nagaland Bioresource Mission (NBRM), Nagaland Community Conserved Area Forum (NCCAF) and Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) participated in the planning and review.
Chief Conservator of Forest and Project Director Supongnukshi, gave an overview of the project progress, while Libanthung Lotha, Commissioner & Secy, GoN and Team Leader NEPED and E. Mhonbemo Patton, principal secretary, DEFCC exhorted the participants and commended the initiatives taken up under the project.
In his address, E. Mhonbemo Patton stressed on community involvement in planning and implementation with specified timeline, accountability, accurate and factual reporting, financial prudency, convergence.
The review and planning workshop focused on conservation measures activities to strengthen biodiversity management institutions through implementing the provisions of Biodiversity Act, 2002 and reinforce conservation in the Community Conserved Areas.
During the review respective project progress were made by all the Project Implementing Agencies, the DEFCC and the NEPED and by the Project partners, the WII, FES, NBRM, NCCAF and NSBB.
Discussions on conservation measures and heritage sites were also held led by Nand Kishor Agrawal, Chief Technical Advisor, PMC. Way forward and concluding remarks was shared by the Project Director. It may be noted that the FBMP is implemented in 64 villages across five districts of the state across seven landscapes and 12 Community Conserved Areas.