Environment projectfor greening of Dimapur

Boka Rochill, 29 young climate advocate from Dimapur, has been named one of the 35 Climate Champions under the second cohort of the National Youth Climate Consortium, a flagship initiative of the Bring Back Green Foundation supported by YuWaah at UNICEF India. The fellowship recognises youth leaders between the ages of 18 and 29 who are committed to building climate-resilient communities through grassroots advocacy and action.
Representing Nagaland in a cohort drawn from 32 states and union territories—including island regions and the Northeast—Rochill brings both academic and professional experience to the platform. His journey into climate action began with a master’s thesis on solid waste management in Kohima municipality, followed by his role in the Young Professionals Programme under the Government of Nagaland’s Department of Urban Development. “All of that was a natural lead to this fellowship,” he reflects, noting how youth action and advocacy align perfectly with his long-standing interests in sustainability.
As part of the six-month fellowship (August 2025–January 2026), each Climate Champion is tasked with leading a community-based project. Rochill has chosen to develop a community-led Heat Action Plan for Dimapur, mapping land surface temperatures and identifying vulnerable groups such as school children, elderly residents, street vendors, and gig workers. The plan, though not yet comprehensive, will set a baseline to inform future policies and integrate climate resilience into city and state governance.
Alongside this, Rochill is spearheading the “Greening Dimapur Project”, which envisions creating pocket forests and micro-urban parks across the city. The aim is to mitigate urban heat, air pollution, and flooding while increasing green cover by up to 50–60 percent in the coming years. “Dimapur has always been hot,” he observes, “but in recent years, heat has become unbearable, especially for the most vulnerable. Greening the city is not just about aesthetics—it’s about survival.”
For Rochill, leadership is not a solo pursuit. He credits proactive support from the Dimapur Municipal Council and envisions the project as a collaborative effort with local departments and citizens. His approach echoes the philosophy of nature-based solutions, embedding urban climate resilience in community participation.
He also sees youth as critical drivers of change. “Youth are not just the future, they are the present,” he stresses. Their hunger for change, willingness to innovate, and lived experience of climate impacts make them uniquely positioned to lead. Through the National Youth Climate Consortium, Rochill hopes to catalyze local action while connecting with young leaders across India, from Ladakh to Lakshadweep.
Looking ahead, he urges the youth of Nagaland to be more proactive in shaping climate solutions. “We live in a globalized world—small initiatives can scale into big transformations. Our youth have immense untapped energy and potential. It’s time to think differently, aspire differently, and act boldly” he added.
With his projects in motion, Rochill’s vision is clear: a greener, cooler, and more climate-resilient Dimapur, shaped by collective effort and youthful determination.