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(From left to right) T Imkonglemba, Pankaj Kumar, Preeti Soni, and T Nungsang Ao during the culmination programme in Kohima on September 28.[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 28 (EMN): The culmination programme of Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management (SLEM) Project under UNDP and Government of Nagaland, was held on September 28 in the conference hall of Hotel Japfü and organised by Soil and Water Conservation Department.
Chief secretary and chairman PSC, Pankaj Kumar, said he was impressed about the SLEM objectives such as increasing the tree cover, improving the income of farmers, maintenance of riparian buffer zones, active participation of women in land use planning, etc. He was of the opinion that the SLEM Project had laid an important foundation for all the follow up projects.
He thanked the UNDP for all the support and assistance given to the State government.
The guest of honour, Preeti Soni, Programme Head, Energy and Environment Unit, UNDP, New Delhi, apprised the gathering about the works carried out through the UNDP programme such as land use planning, jhum resource management committee, formulation of land use policy, livelihood promotional activities which have not only benefited Nagaland alone but the whole of North East Region (NER) towards sustainability. She also mentioned that SLEM project has been recognised among 25 best projects under Global Environmental Facility (GEF)- UNDP programme.
Highlights of SLEM Project “Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management in shifting cultivation areas of Nagaland for ecological and livelihood security” was made through a power point presentation by SN Singh, Additional Director & HoD, and Hetoho Y Swu, Deputy Director of Department of Soil and Water Conservation.
It may be stated that the SLEM was launched in 2009 and culminated on July 31, 2017, with the objective of addressing land degradation, livelihood and environmental consideration.
T Imkonglemba, Principal Secretary & APC, chaired the programme and delivered the keynote address, while the welcome address was delivered by T Nungsang Ao, Commissioner and Secretary of Soil and Water Conservation, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Viliehu Nguzhii, Project Director, Department of Soil & Water Conservation.
