Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum (NCCAF) has expressed deep concern over what it described as “uncritical promotion” of oil palm cultivation by the state agriculture department.
In a press release, NCCAF chairman Heirang Lungalang and secretary Seve R Vadeo stated that the agriculture department, during the recently concluded 25th Hornbill Festival, displayed a poster titled “Myths and Facts About Oil Palm Cultivation’’, which emphasized the “perceived benefits” of oil palm cultivation, including claims about environmental sustainability and economic viability.
NCCAF, the apex civil society body for community-conserved areas in Nagaland, said that the poster presented a favourable narrative, which “oversimplifies” the complex socio-environmental impacts of oil palm cultivation. The forum asserted that such promotion, without addressing the potential ecological and social risks, warranted urgent scrutiny and transparent public engagement.
The forum has also raised key concerns oil palm cultivation in the state.
Biodiversity and land use: Assertion that oil palm would only utilize jhum fallow lands and wastelands, NCCAF maintained overlooked global evidence where oil palm expansion has led to unintended deforestation and significant habitat loss. The forum stated that Nagaland, with its unparalleled biodiversity, risked losing vital ecosystems unless robust environmental impact assessments are mandated.
Water usage: On the claimed that oil palm required less water than crops like rice or sugarcane, the forum contended that oil palm remained a water-intensive crop compared to traditional farming practices in Nagaland. Given the state’s unique hydrological conditions, NCCAF said large-scale oil palm plantations could exacerbate water scarcity, particularly during dry seasons.
Monoculture practices and soil health: Despite references to intercropping as a mitigating strategy, the forum said large-scale oil palm plantations inherently favour monoculture. It said that this practice depleted soil nutrients, disrupted ecological balance, and undermined the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. NCCAF therefore advocated for diverse, regenerative farming practices instead.
Community and livelihood impacts: According to NCCAF, experiences from other regions showed that oil palm plantations often led to economic dependency on volatile global markets, marginalizing smallholder farmers. It said transparent mechanisms must ensure that any agricultural initiative, including oil palm, benefits local communities equitably and sustainably.
Chemical use and environmental degradation: On the claim that oil palm requires fewer chemicals may hold merit in controlled settings, the forum said the risk of chemical runoff into local ecosystems remained high posing serious threats to Nagaland’s sensitive environment. It therefore suggested prioritising organic and eco-friendly farming methods.
Strongly supporting sustainable development that safeguards Nagaland’s ecological integrity and cultural heritage, the NCCAF expressed belief that economic growth must complement the conservation of the forests, water sources, and biodiversity.
In the light of the above, the forum has put forward several recommendations to the state government.
Adopt a precautionary approach: Halt large-scale oil palm promotion until comprehensive environmental, social, and economic impact assessments were conducted.
Ensure community participation: It urged the government to engage local communities in all agricultural policy discussions to ensure inclusive and participatory decision-making.
Promote sustainable alternatives: NCCAF has advocated for agroforestry, permaculture, and other sustainable farming practices that offered a balance between ecological conservation and livelihood generation.
Enhance transparency: The forum pealed to the government to share detailed assessments and future plans for oil palm cultivation with the public to build trust and foster accountability.
Call for public dialogue
Meanwhile, the NCCAF has called upon all the stakeholders—government departments, community leaders, researchers, and civil society organizations—to engage in a transparent and informed dialogue on the long-term implications of oil palm cultivation in Nagaland.
The maintained that agricultural strategies that harmonised economic aspirations with ecological conservation could be explored together. “Let us work collectively to ensure that Nagaland’s development trajectory respects its rich biodiversity and empowers its communities sustainably,” NCCAF underlined.