Japan International Cooperation Agency India reviews forest project in Mokokchung

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.

Also read: Dimapur Rengma Students' Union backs Dimapur Naga Students' Union on ILP

• 
  
• 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.