CL John urges community support for success of Nagaland Forest Management Project

DIMAPUR — The inaugural programme of the Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP), funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Batch-IV under Mon Range, was held on September 10 at Chenwetnyu Council Hall, with Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Village Guards, CL John, as the special guest.

According to a press release, John, on the occasion, said that the project aims to bring a stable environment and ecological balance in harmony with their lifestyle. He encouraged the villagers to work diligently to ensure the success of the project.

He further stated that the benefits of the project seek to solve global warming issues such as air pollution, improve forest cover through afforestation, improve the standard of life, and enhance the Community Conservation Area network by improving the habitats of wildlife and creating a healthy environment for the state.

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He urged self-help groups to make the best use of the revolving funds provided by the department and to contribute wholeheartedly towards achieving the project’s objectives.

Village Council Chairman of Chenwetnyu, Nockpai, stated that the programme was organised to create awareness and sensitise the community about the project activities to be implemented in the village and to encourage the villagers to cooperate with the department to execute the activities smoothly.

H Tokugha Chophy, divisional forest officer (DFO)-cum-DMU head, Mon Forest Division, highlighted the objectives and importance of the NFMP project, emphasising its role in ecosystem preservation and in increasing the forest cover through afforestation, thereby combating climate change, livelihood improvement, and income-generating opportunities through the project, and in ensuring long-term benefits for the community.

He also highlighted that the JICA project has brought multiple benefits to the village. Along with the financial support that has improved local livelihoods, the project has also created opportunities for knowledge sharing and skill development.

It was stated that capacity-building programmes carried out by DMU supporting staff and FNGOs, who bring with them a wide range of multidisciplinary expertise, have equipped community members with practical knowledge and confidence to manage resources more effectively. This combination of financial and technical support has helped strengthen both the economy and the capacities of the village.

Chophy further informed that under NFMP, a total of 185 villages across 22 ranges in 16 districts are to be covered within a span of ten years through four batches.

The project was launched in 2017–2018. In Mon Division, 20 villages were selected, with 15 villages falling under the first, second, and third batches and five villages under Batch IV. Chenwetnyu village is one among the five villages under Batch IV.

Under Mon Division, a total of 20 villages were selected, i.e., 11 villages under Mon Range and nine under Naginimora Range.

DMU staff, FMU staff, and FNGO coordinator also explained their roles and the activities to be taken up at the grassroots level and requested the communities to cooperate with the department and encouraged them to set an example for other communities by preserving and protecting the environment.