Nagaland has lost an estimated 10% forest cover in 10–15 years, raising concerns over biodiversity and conservation
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KOHIMA — Nagaland has recorded an estimated 10% decline in forest cover over the past 10 to 15 years, putting the state’s rich biodiversity under growing pressure, according to Supongnukshi, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), office of the PCCF and HoFF, Nagaland.
Speaking at a consultation workshop on Wednesday for the revision of Nagaland State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NSBSAP) in Kohima, Supongnukshi highlighted that the state’s forests and biodiversity were gradually deteriorating due to population growth and increasing dependence on forest resources.
He pointed out that Nagaland was unique because forests and natural resources have traditionally been owned and managed by communities and individuals. However, he said, changing circumstances required a reassessment of how these resources were being used.
“Over the last 10–15 years, we have been seeing around a 10% decline in forest cover,” he said, describing the reduction as unprecedented.
Supongnukshi warned that the loss of forests was also contributing to a decline in animal, plant, insect and other biodiversity populations. Nagaland, he said, was home to several species yet to be discovered, some of which could potentially be important for human survival.
“Without discovering those species, we are just losing them without knowing,” he said, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Also read: Nagaland lost 800 sq km forest in decade, officials say
The officer called for closer cooperation between government departments and local communities, stressing that traditional knowledge and community participation must be incorporated into government policies, schemes and conservation priorities.
Conservation beyond government
Earlier, Y Kikheto Sema, Principal Secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and chairman of Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB), said that biodiversity conservation and waste management should not be treated as the responsibility of government departments alone.
Addressing the inaugural session, Sema urged that biodiversity and waste-management issues be included in school curricula, Sunday school lessons and church sermons.
He said that community and individual landowners controlled much of Nagaland’s forest land, with the Forest department owning less than 5% of the state’s total forest area.
Sema also asked churches to play a stronger role in waste management, particularly during annual conferences, campaigns and other events that generate significant amounts of waste.
Acknowledging initiatives by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council on biodiversity, he urged churches to become “torch bearers” in raising awareness and promoting responsible waste-management practices.
Forest cover and jhum cultivation
According to Sema, Nagaland still has relatively high forest cover, estimated at around 73%, compared with the national average of 21.76%.
Peren has the highest forest coverage among the state’s districts, at more than 91%, while Tuensang has the lowest, at about 51%, he shared.
On agriculture, Sema pointed out that nearly 70% of Nagaland’s population lived in rural areas and depended on agriculture and allied activities, given the limited opportunities for large- and medium-scale industries.
He said that the state’s traditional jhum cultivation system required greater attention and research. Despite its importance to Nagaland, he claimed that it was not adequately addressed in agricultural education.
According to Sema, jhum cultivation is facing growing questions over its economic viability and ecological sustainability, including its impact on biodiversity.
He added that the revision of NSBSAP reflected the state government’s commitment to aligning its biodiversity-conservation efforts with global priorities.
Ishwar Narayanan, executive director of The Nature Conservancy India, and Sanjay Sharma, general manager of the Foundation for Ecological Security, also addressed the workshop.