Nagaland officials inspected Lokhipahar Forest land in Mon district and reviewed encroachment, conservation and restoration plans.
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DIMAPUR — Officials of the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change conducted a field inspection at Lokhipahar Forest purchased land, Jaboka Village under Tizit sub-division of Mon district, on April 22, following a directive of the Nagaland Cabinet.
According to a DIPR report, the field inspection was led by Y Kikheto Sema, principal secretary, Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Vedpal Singh, principal chief conservator of forests; Supongnukshi, additional PCCF (Territorial); and other forest officials, to assess the present status of the government-purchased land, its boundaries, evaluate forest cover, and examine any encroachment or management issues.
Jaboka purchased land (Lokhipahar) has an approximate area of 2,138 hectares and is forest land acquired under the department’s initiatives since September 1977 for the purpose of conservation, protection and ecological restoration.
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The area forms part of the larger forest landscape of the district, which is characterised by hilly terrain, tropical vegetation and rich biodiversity.
During the visit, it was revealed that a major fertile chunk of the purchased land has been encroached upon by surrounding villages of Tizit with plantation activities, tea farms, betel nut and bamboo plantations for more than 30 years, leaving only a fraction of the wasteland under the control of the department.
Kikheto directed the divisional forest officer, Mon, and range officer, Tizit, to carry out the assessment exercise with drones and other GPS mapping to ascertain the factual position.
He also requested the CF (Territorial) and additional PCCF to coordinate with DFO Mon for immediate action.
According to the report, inadequate demarcation of boundaries has been identified as a major factor contributing to widespread encroachment.
“Conducting a re-survey and installing permanent boundary pillars, supported by GPS mapping of the entire area, is essential for reclaiming and safeguarding the land from further encroachment, as well as for restoring the health of the forest ecosystem,” it stated.
The principal secretary further stressed the need to develop a comprehensive management plan for effective administration of all the government-purchased lands in the state.
En route to Dimapur, the team also visited Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary, an important protected area in Nagaland known for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscape.
Its strategic location along the Assam border further enhances its significance as a key conservation landscape in the region.
Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 24 sq km and is characterised by tropical and subtropical forests.
It is ecologically significant for its rich biodiversity and is particularly known for supporting a large congregation of elephants.
At the heart of the wildlife sanctuary lies a dense hollong forest where limited sunlight filters through the canopy.
These trees help stabilise the soil and support diverse life, offering a calm glimpse of the state’s conservation efforts.
The principal secretary appreciated the officers and staff of the wildlife sanctuary for their dedicated protection efforts, noting that its rich biodiversity and ecological significance offer strong potential for eco-tourism.
He added that strengthening protection measures and involving local communities will be key to ensuring its long-term sustainability.