DIMAPUR: As part of the World Environment Day 2026 celebration, the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change organized an essay competition on the theme “Inspired by nature. For Climate. For Our Future” on Thursday at the Conference Hall, Forest Office Complex, Kohima.
Welcoming the participants, DFO Kohima, Dr. Sevono Seletsu, encouraged students to broaden their thoughts and express ideas freely and confidently.
He motivated them to make the best use of the opportunity and give their best effort throughout the competition.
Addressing the gathering after the event, CCF (P & D), Sidramappa M. Chalkapure, highlighted that World Environment Day is celebrated in diverse ways by organizations worldwide.
He urged students to understand and spread awareness about the implications of environmental issues on human life.
Stressing the importance of conservation, he cited simple practices such as switching off unused lights and using public transport as steps toward environmental betterment.
He expressed gratitude to participating schools and teachers, adding that beyond competitions, the message of conservation must be carried forward.
Six schools from Kohima—Fernwood School, RDNUMS School, Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Ministers Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School, Dainty Buds School, and Little Flower Higher Secondary School took part in the competition, with five students representing each institution.
Tokens of appreciation were presented to all participants by Sidramappa M. Chalkapure, CF (P & T), Zuthunglo Patton and DFO Kohima, Dr. Sevono Seletsu.
The winners of the competition were announced as follows: First Prize: Rahrane Bethel Zhoh, Class 9, Mezhür Higher Secondary School; Second Prize: Livana K. Zhimomi, Class 10, Fernwood School; Third Prize: Keduvinu Kharutso, Class 10, Little Flower Higher Secondary School.
Prizes will be formally awarded by Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change and Village Guards, C.L. John, during the World Environment Day programme on June 5 at Kohima Peace Memorial & Eco Park.
Mokokchung Forest Division: Commemorating World Environment Day 2026, Mokokchung Forest Division organised sensitization programme on biodiversity conservation under Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project (FBMP) on June 3, at Changtongya Old Village.
A press release by the division stated that the project, co-financed by Federal Republic of Germany through KfW Development Bank, focused on strengthening biodiversity conservation and improving community livelihoods through sustainable forest management.
The programme was conducted for the Batch-II villages of Unger, Akhoya, Changtongya Old and Nukshiyim.
SDO (Civil), Changtongya, Sangpangchang Longkumer, graced the occasion as guest of honour and encouraged collective action towards environmental protection and sustainable development.
Also delivering the keynote address, ACF, i/c Changtongya Beat, Moamongba, highlighted critical role of community participation in biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management, and also emphasized the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding ecosystems and strengthening conservation efforts at the grassroots level.
The programme also featured project experience-sharing sessions, wherein representatives of Nukshiyim CCA shared their project activities, while Akhoya CCA presented their experiences from a recent exposure visit.
As part of the programme, speech competition on the World Environment Day 2026 theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate.
For Our Future.” was held, while a drawing competition on the same theme was also conducted for students prior to the main programme.