Kohima, November 4: Raising serious concern over the alarming decline in forest cover in Nagaland, Principal Secretary of the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (DEFCC) and Chairman of the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB), Shri Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, called for stronger community participation in protecting the state’s rich biodiversity during the valedictory session of a workshop on Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project (FBMP).
In his closing remarks, Sema highlighted that Nagaland had lost approximately 795 square kilometres of forest cover between 2013 and 2023, accounting for nearly 5 per cent of the state’s total geographical area. He further pointed out that 235 square kilometres of forest cover were lost between 2018 and 2021 alone, citing figures from the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).
Emphasising the importance of community involvement, Sema said the workshop was organised with the desire to hear directly from communities about their experiences and efforts in biodiversity conservation. He expressed satisfaction over the testimonies shared by six village and district representatives, while cautioning that commitments and testimonies made during public gatherings, churches, revival programmes and awareness campaigns often fade away too quickly.
Drawing from the biblical account of creation in Genesis, he reminded the gathering that human beings were entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and managing nature rather than destroying it.
Addressing Nagaland’s unique landholding system, Sema observed that government-owned forests and land constitute barely five per cent of the state’s total land area. While acknowledging the importance of Article 371A, he expressed concern over what he described as widespread misunderstanding of people’s rights under the provision.
He cited instances where landowner-related issues reportedly affect the functioning of schools and hospitals, with landowner populations sometimes outnumbering students, patients and healthcare personnel. He also pointed out that similar issues arise even on land purchased by the government.
“Article 371A should not become a hindrance to development,” he stressed, adding that constitutional safeguards alone cannot protect the state from climate change and biodiversity loss without collective responsibility and action.
On the issue of forest conservation funding, Sema highlighted the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016, and the CAMPA mechanism, under which 90 per cent of funds are transferred to states and Union Territories while 10 per cent is retained by the Centre. He stated that the Centre had transferred approximately ₹52,770 crore to states and UTs over the past decade, while Nagaland had reportedly forfeited around ₹500 crore during the same period.
Highlighting the ongoing Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project, Sema said the initiative, supported under Germany’s Financial Cooperation with India, aims to conserve the state’s biodiversity while improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
The project is being implemented by the Forest Department in collaboration with NEPED across 64 villages in six districts — Kohima, Mokokchung, Peren, Shamator, Tuensang and Wokha. With an outlay of ₹65.70 crore for the period 2020–2027, the project covers conservation activities across approximately 41,000 hectares and supports 13 Community Conserved Areas (CCAs), with active participation from villagers and community representatives.
Calling upon the people to become ambassadors of biodiversity conservation, Sema said protecting forests and natural resources was a shared responsibility towards future generations.
He also highlighted the state government’s initiatives to promote commercial plantations such as coffee, rubber, tea, agarwood and arecanut to strengthen livelihood opportunities for farmers and unemployed youth. The government is also encouraging organic fruit and vegetable production for local consumption and markets outside the state.
Further, he disclosed that the Forest Department was consulting with firms to explore carbon credit benefits for community and individually conserved biodiversity areas, with the aim of creating sustainable financial incentives for conservation efforts.
Sema expressed the department’s willingness to continue direct engagement with communities and assured that similar interactive programmes would be organised in the coming days.
Earlier, the session featured a presentation on the workshop’s key outcomes and the way forward by Shri Sidramappa Chalkapure, IFS, CCF (D&P) and Project Director, FBMP.
The Community Voice segment provided a platform for representatives from different villages to share their experiences and perspectives on conservation. Those who spoke included Shri Purnukshi, CCA Member, Unger Village, Mokokchung; Shri S. Haku, Chairman, Keshai Village CCA, Tuensang; Shri Keditei, CCA Chairman, Dungki Village, Peren; Shri Mukhe Sotokur, Huke-Yungnyu 3C Chairman; Shri Ekhyimo Lotha, CCA Chairman, Ronren Village; and Smt. T. Amung, CCA Member, Hak Village, Tuensang.
The valedictory session was hosted by Shri Nand Kishor Agrawal, CTA, PMC, FBMP, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Rokhu Savio Krocha, Deputy Project Director, FBMP.
The workshop concluded with a renewed call for stronger community ownership, sustainable livelihoods and collective action to safeguard Nagaland’s rich biodiversity.
