Kohima Bureau
Kohima, March 25 (EMN): A total of 185 villages spread across 11 districts in Nagaland will benefit from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted Nagaland Forest Management Project which aims to improve forest ecosystem and support income generation by rehabilitation of jhum area.
The 8534 million Japanese Yen (approximately INR 400 cr) worth 10-year (April 2017 to March 2027) project is currently in the initial two-year preparatory phase. The project has three main components: forestry inventions and biodiversity conservation, livelihood improvement and community development, and institutional strengthening.
The breakup of selected villages are: 19 in Mon district – 10 from Mon range and 9 from Naginimora range; 16 in Kohima district – 7 from Kohima range and 9 from Tseminyu range; 18 in Mokokchung district – 7 from Changtongya beat and 11 from Mokokchung range; 20 in Zunheboto district – 10 each from Atoizu beat and Pughoboto range; 18 villages in Kiphire; 13 in Peren district – 7 from Tening range and 6 from Peren range; 20 in Wokha district – 9 from Wokha range and 11 from Doyang beat; 7 in Dimapur district – 3 from Piphema beat and 4 from Medziphema beat; 9 in Longleng district – 5 from Longleng range and 4 from Sitap range; 20 in Phek district – 8 from Pfutsero rage and 12 from Meluri range; and 25 in Tuensang district – 11 from Tuensang range and 7 each from Longkhim and Noklak range.
The total area proposed to be covered under this project is 79.096 hectares of land. The project looks to contribute towards sustainable forest and environmental conservation while also improving livelihood in the target villages.
JICA’s share in the total project cost is 6224 million Yen and the state government’s share is 2310 million Yen. According to the annual administrative report of the department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change which was tabled in the ongoing assembly, the state government share is in the form of administration cost. The loan repayment period is 30 years from the time the project is completed, and reimbursement will be done on 90:10 between the government of India and state government.
The report stated that 156 staff would be deployed to implement said project, which is to work on reimbursement model. The state government is stated to have already sanctioned INR 25 cr. as revolving fund for the project.
After the completion of the first phase, implementation will take place in the six years that follows and the subsequent two years will be the consolidation phase.
