Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh underscored the importance of involving communities in baseline surveys and other conservation efforts.
Lauding the works being carried out by the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (DoEFCC) and local communities, Singh during a meeting with senior officials of the department in Kohima on Tuesday also recommended the inclusion of bamboo cultivation in future NFMP plans, acknowledging its immense potential for sustainable development.
Principal chief conservator of forests and head of Forest Force Dharmendra Prakash chaired the meeting, while DoEFCC principal secretary Mhonbemo Patton gave the welcome address, during which he briefed Singh about the unique landholding system of Nagaland, the traditional practice of jhum cultivation and the challenges faced by the communities such as the shrinking jhum cycle and human-elephant conflict.
In his opening remarks, Prakash gave an insightful overview of the forests of Nagaland, highlighting their ecological, economic and cultural significance.
He also shared the department’s efforts to build institutional strength and implement community-driven conservation initiatives, while underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the damage caused by elephants and the importance of timely compensation for affected communities.
Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Temjenyabang made a presentation on the department’s activities and externally-aided projects like Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya, Nagaland (KFW Project) and Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP).
Team leader (PMC-NFMP) Pravanjan Mohapatra shared the impact assessment of the project. The central minister also visited GIS Lab where a demonstration was given about data capture and processing. He lauded the efforts of NFMP for in-house GIS and MIS development.
The event provided an important platform for discussion and collaboration, reinforcing the significance of community involvement in the successful implementation of environmental conservation projects in the state. This was stated in a press release.