Dimapur, March 9 (EMN): Nagaland’s department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change organised a two-day workshop on working scheme operations and the issue of timber trade, on March 8 and 9 at the Forest office in Dimapur. The event was conducted for officers and staffers of the department; timber traders, wood-based industries and mills and cultivators.
The programme aimed to inculcate sustainable use of forest resources sustainably, improving forest cover and systematic streamlining of works according to guidelines stipulated by the central ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, and the Supreme Court.
The additional principal chief conservatory of Forest (APCCF), Meyipokyim Aier, delivered the opening remarks to the event. He mentioned how the slash-and-burn form of cultivation—”jhum”—was leading to increased felling of trees. The department needs to find a scientific way out of the malady, he said.
“We are jointly responsible for sustainable of the forest and as responsible contributors we need to adhere to the rules and regulations laid down by the Ministry” addressed Aier. He also called on the timber traders to take into account the long term effect their business will have while reminding that the department will be firm on the implementation of working schemes.
The PCCF of Nagaland I Panger Jamir addressed the timber traders. He pointed out that they require big logs for sustainable business and to do this the traders collectively need to come up with rules and regulations, the officer said.
Emphasising on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities carried out by Kuda Mill and Green Ply, Jamir said: “if you can lease a land for 20-30 years with mutual understanding for their business and sustainable of forest, that will be an advantage for the timber traders.” He urged the timber traders to encourage CSR activities among themselves for the advantage of both the trader and the community.
APCCF (C) with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change SK Agarwal, who attended the second day workshop as the guest of honour, addressed the gathering on the topic of ‘interface of Nagaland Forest department and wood based industries.’ He emphasised on amendment in the wood-based industries (establishment and regulation) guidelines of 2016 and the importance of proper operation of working schemes. He observed that the conversion register in the state was well maintained. However, the receipt register of timber was being incorrectly maintained, he said.
