JFMC and SHG members
from Kohima during their visit to Wokha division.
DIMAPUR — Kohima division under Nagaland Forest
Management Project (NFMP) organised exposure trips to Wokha division for JFMC
and SHG members from Batch–I villages, namely Nsunyu, Tuophema and Zhadima ‘A’
on May 22 and 23 and Batch–II villages, namely Terogvunyu, Seiyhama, Phenwhenyu
and Kandinu on May 29 and 30, respectively.
An update from NFMP Kohima stated that a brief introductory
session was held at the chamber of the ACF and ADMU head of Wokha division,
Rajiv Shankar, where he welcomed all the visiting team members and encouraged
them to take away key learnings from the host division.
During interacting with Batch–I villages, Renjamo Odyuo,
JFMC chairperson of New Riphyim under Doyang beat, shared on JFMC formation,
where the village members conducted general body meeting with village council
and project members. He also explained the concept of forestry intervention
models undertaken in the village.
He further shared that under NFMP, 159 hectares have been
covered in the villages and that the creation of nursery and plantation of
saplings at the sites have helped the community to earn in the form of wages.
He also highlighted that with the provision of entry point activity (EPA),
water harvesting structure and solar lights have been a huge asset to the
village community.
Yhuntilo Kent, FMU head from Tseminyu, stated that in the
past, people depended so much on forest for so many activities leaving many
areas overexploited and affecting the climate change. Stressing on the
importance of forestry intervention and livelihood improvement of the SHGs
under the project, Kent emphasised that the project would ultimately result in
increased forest coverage at the same time uplift the status of women.
SHG members from New Riphyim (Batch-I villages) under Doyang
beat also shared their experiences.
The team also visited various income generation activities
of the SHG members, WHS, EPA and JAF model area in New Riphyim village and
Doyang area.
JFMC and SHG members of Batch-II visited Yikhum village
under Doyang beat. During interaction, Longshithung Kithan, JFMC chairperson of
Yikhum village, briefed the visiting members on JFMC formation, record keeping
and various micro-planning exercises. He also briefed about the creation of EPA
and WHS that has been beneficial for the community members.
SHG members also shared on various income generation
activities.
The members also visited Ekhumrhong, a ministry towards
addiction and substance use disorder, EPA, WHS and Doyang reservoir.
Report stated that the exposure trip culminated with sharing
of experiences by the visiting team members. The exposure was organised with
the aim to empower the village members by providing direct and practical
exposure to successful models in order to improve their lives and livelihood.