JICA
India team field tour of NFMP–JICA project sites in Mokokchung on May 14.
MOKOKCHUNG — A
two-day mid-term review of the National Forest Management Project–Japan
International Cooperation Agency (NFMP–JICA) was conducted in Mokokchung
Division on May 13 and 14 by officials from JICA India.
The JICA India delegation was led by Ishikawa Saya,
representative, and Sushma Sen Adarshi, development specialist. They were
accompanied by Temjenyapang, Chief Conservator of Forests (NFMP, Project
Director); Rongsenlemla, Conservator of Forests (NTC); and project consultants
led by Pravanjan Mohapatra, team leader.
The team visited project sites across Merangkong, Aliba, and
Chungtia villages to assess progress and engage with local communities.
On May 13, the JICA team reached Merangkong village, where
the Merangkong JFMC presented a detailed overview of project activities.
Self-help groups (SHGs) showcased their income-generating activities (IGAs) and
skill development initiatives.
The delegation encouraged the SHGs to use resources sustainably
and strengthen their efforts. A visit to the jhum agro-forestry (JAF) treatment
site revealed tree species, including Duabanga grandiflora, Ailanthus
altissima, Choerospondias axillaris, and Phoebe sp.
On May 14, the team visited Aliba village to inspect entry
point activities (EPA) and water harvesting structures (WHS) implemented
through convergence efforts under the NFMP–JICA project. These initiatives,
benefiting over 100 households, were hailed as flagship activities
collaborating communities and government departments.
In Chungtia village, the team reviewed the JFMC nursery,
WHS, and EPA and held discussions with JFMCs and SHGs about project challenges.
The delegation also examined JFMC accounts and registers.
SHGs in Aliba and Chungtia highlighted their focus on
piggery and poultry, citing cost-effectiveness and high-profit margins. All 42
SHGs across the project’s Batch-3 villages have completed their first activity
cycle, with 22 in the second cycle, 14 preparing for or starting the third, and
six already in the third cycle.
The Mokokchung Forest Division has restored 4,968 hectares
across 14 villages through five models: jhum agro-forestry (JAF), jhum fallow
forestry (JFF), jhum conversion to forestry (JCF), jhum conversion to community
conservation area (JCC), and protection and expansion of community conserved
area (PEC).
This includes 1,059.313 hectares under productive models
(JAF, JFF, JCF) and 3,910.27 hectares under conservation models (JCC, PEC),
with 9.98 lakh saplings planted from 2020 to 2024.
In 2025, an additional 1,289 hectares will be covered (165
hectares under productive models and 1,124 hectares under conservation models),
with 2.20 lakh saplings targeted for planting.
The ecological gains are significant: forest cover has increased
by 14.88 square kilometres, with 46.97 square kilometres upgraded to moderately
dense forest (MDF) and 31.55 square kilometres of scrub rehabilitated.
The JICA team expressed satisfaction with the project’s
implementation, praising the Mokokchung Division’s coordination,
record-keeping, and community engagement. They described NFMP–JICA as a
scalable model of community-led forest management with national significance.
The delegation thanked the host division for a well-planned
inspection itinerary and acknowledged the project’s success in forestry
interventions, community development, and livelihood improvement.
JICA
India team field tour of NFMP–JICA project sites in Mokokchung on May 14.