Nagaland has one third forest cover: Guv

 KOHIMA, JUNE 6 : Commemorating the 42nd year of World Environment Day, a plantation programme was organised at Raj Bhavan premises initiated by Governor of Nagaland & Assam PB Acharya this evening.

Forty-two saplings of Taxus Baccata, Cinnanonum species, Jack Fruit tree, Pinus Khasiya and Cryptomeria Japonica were planted in the Raj Bhawan premises.
Stressing on the need to adopt eco-friendly practices in all spheres, and taking special protection and care for birds and animals, the Governor sought the cooperation of students, NGOs and all other segments of society.

While pointing out that disturbing environment and nature is inviting trouble and natural calamities like floods, change of season, change of season, change of river course, erosion, and damage to soil, change of climate, etc, Acharya said severe natural calamities across the world are proving to be constant reminders of the peril being faced by humanity and ‘it is suicidal for the earth’.
Attributing eroding of earth’s precious biodiversity to the booming illegal trade in wildlife products, Acharya said this is robbing us of our natural heritage and driving whole species to the brink of extinction, and particularly in Nagaland due to the traditional practices of hunting and jungle burning, he said the rich and acclaimed floral and faunal diversity of the state is subjected to great risk.

‘Commercial intent of the people involved in the illicit trade of these endangered resources has hastened the process of degradation of forests and loss of wildlife’ he added.

However, he also noted that the ‘community conservation initiative’ pioneered by the Naga Communities and amply supported by the Government establishments is proving to be a lasting solution for the complex problem of this magnitude.

A recent study instituted by the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of Nagaland has shown that over 400 communities/villages (Community Conservation Areas) in Nagaland are conserving their forests and natural resources that actually accounts for over 1/3rd of the forest cover in the state.

The Governor has also appreciated that Nagaland has been proclaimed as the “Amur Falcon Capital of the World”, whereby the community and the government is working cohesively in conserving the gregariously roosting migratory raptors at multiple locations across the state.

‘The kind of recognition and laurels the ‘Amur Conservation Initiative’ has brought to the state is unprecedented’ said the Governor, while also noting that the mass conservation movement has helped in changing the very perception about the Naga society and has also opened a window of opportunity to the local communities in terms of livelihood (Eco-tourism).

He also mentioned that with initiatives like “Animal Adoption Scheme” and upgraded facilities for rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals, the Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar is emerging as a significant ex-situ conservation initiative of the state government, also serving the purpose of recreation and awareness generation.

The conservation and awareness programmes of the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of Nagaland manifested by the Zoo is appropriately supporting their in-situ conservation activities across the state be it in protected areas (National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries) or in community conservation areas.

Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, in “one of its kind” initiative has decided to dedicated the all conservation and plantation activities taken up during the World Environment Day, 2016 to “Save the Girl Child” Campaign.

The World Environment Day, 2016 is being celebrated in Nagaland by various Government and Non-Government Institutions and general public. Large scale plantation programmes, awareness generation activities, cleanliness drive and activities like Green Marathon are being organised across the state.

Today’s programme saw the participation of Kavita Acharya, First Lady, officers from the Forest Department and the officers and staff members from Raj Bhavan.