Correspondent
Kohima, Nov 4 (NPN): Nagaland has recorded the highest rate of forest decline in the country, losing 795 sq. km of forest cover between 2013 and 2023, equivalent to around 5% of the State’s total geographical area, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DEFCC), and chairman, Nagaland State Staff Selection Board (NSSB), Y. Kikheto Sema said.
He was addressing the valedictory session of the two-day state-level workshop on “Community Conservation: Celebrating Success and Charting the Future”, which concluded at the Golden Jubilee Hall, Cathedral, Kohima, on November 4.
Referring to the biblical account of creation in the Book of Genesis, Kikheto said God created the heavens, earth, seas and all forms of biodiversity before creating human beings, who were entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and responsibly utilising nature rather than destroying it. He stressed that humanity had been given stewardship over biodiversity and must fulfil that responsibility.
Speaking on Nagaland’s unique landholding system, Kikheto said the State was the only one in the country created through a political agreement and noted that government-owned forests and land constituted barely 5% of its total area. He observed that Article 371(A), though an important constitutional safeguard, was often misunderstood, leading to complications even in matters involving government-acquired land.
He maintained that Article 371(A) should not become an obstacle to development, adding that constitutional provisions alone could neither protect biodiversity nor effectively address the challenges posed by climate change.
Citing the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), he said Nagaland lost 795 sq. km of forest cover between 2013 and 2023, including a decline of 235 sq. km between 2018 and 2021.
On the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016, Kikheto explained that funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) were distributed among states and Union Territories, with 90% allocated to states and the remaining 10% retained by the Centre.
Highlighting the Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project (FBMP), he said the initiative was being implemented by the State government under Germany’s Financial Cooperation with India. The project seeks to conserve Nagaland’s biodiversity while improving the livelihoods and well-being of forest-dependent communities.
The project is being implemented by the Forest Department in collaboration with NEPED across 64 villages in Kohima, Mokokchung, Peren, Shamator, Tuensang and Wokha districts. With an outlay of Rs. 65.70 crore for the period 2020-2027, conservation activities are being carried out over 41,000 hectares, covering all 64 project villages and 13 Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) with active community participation.
Urging participants to become ambassadors of biodiversity conservation, Kikheto called on citizens to protect and preserve the State’s rich natural heritage for future generations.
He also highlighted various commercial plantation initiatives undertaken by the government to improve livelihood opportunities for farmers and unemployed youth through the cultivation of coffee, rubber, tea, agarwood and arecanut. In addition, he said the government was promoting organic fruit and vegetable cultivation for both local consumption and export markets.
Earlier, the programme included technical sessions on FBMP reflections and the way forward, followed by interactions with community representatives.
The valedictory session was hosted by CTA, PMC, FBMP, Nand Kishor Agrawal, while a summary of the workshop proceedings and future roadmap was presented by CCF (D&P) and Project Director, FBMP, Sidramappa Chalkapure.
Community representatives included Purnukshi from Unger village, Mokokchung; S. Haku, chairman of Keshai Village CCA, Tuensang; Keditei, chairman of Dungki Village CCA, Peren; Mukhe Sotokur, chairman of Huke-Yungnyu 3C; Ekhyimo Lotha, chairman of Ronren Village CCA; and T. Amung, CCA member of Hak village, Tuensang.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Deputy Project Director, FBMP, Dr. Rokhu Savio Krocha.