Participants of the zonal consultation on Nagaland’s CCA policy at Hotel Europa Inn, Dimapur on December 3.
Dimapur, December 3 (MExN): A key consultation meeting in Nagaland has laid the groundwork for a state policy aimed at formally recognising and strengthening Community Conserved Areas (CCAs), natural landscapes protected through generations by local communities using traditional knowledge and customary laws.
The zonal-level stakeholders consultation meeting, held in Dimapur on December 3, is part of a series of zonal engagements being conducted across Nagaland. Insights from all consultations will contribute to drafting the Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Policy, aimed at formally recognising and empowering community-driven conservation efforts across the state.
It was jointly organised by the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB), Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum (NCCAF), Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and Nagaland Empowerment of People through Energy Development (NEPeD).
The day-long deliberations, involving community leaders from Peren, Chümoukedima, Niuland and Dimapur districts, including representatives from village councils, CCA Management Committee, women’s groups, youth organisations, tribal bodies and civil society organisations, focused on critical issues for formalising these community-led initiatives. “The aim was to gather community perspectives and recommendations towards shaping a comprehensive state-level policy for CCAs” stated an update received here.
Participants discussed defining clear criteria for recognising an area as a Community Conserved Area and reflected on governance and management structures, including the roles of Village Councils, women, youth, CCA Management Committees, NGOs, and government departments in ensuring inclusive and participatory decision-making. Participants also discussed governance and management procedures essential for effective functioning of CCAs.
A significant part of the discussion centred the procedural steps required for formal CCA recognition. The stakeholders emphasised the importance of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), necessary documentation, and the institutional roles involved in reviewing and endorsing CCA proposals.
Further deliberations explored opportunities for sustainable economic activities and identified incentive structures and support systems needed for strengthening long-term community-led CCA management in Nagaland.
The programme concluded with a synthesis session and closing reflections, reinforcing the shared vision of upholding Nagaland’s strong tradition of community-led conservation through a clear, inclusive, and community-informed State CCA Policy.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Heirang Langalung, Chairman of NCCAF, followed by introductory remarks from Sanjay Sharma, Regional Head of FES North East who emphasised the importance of community-led conservation, local governance, and safeguarding traditional ecological knowledge in Nagaland.
The consultation session was facilitated by Chenibemo Odyuo and Yaranajit Deka, FES. They briefed participants on the objectives of the zonal consultation, the need for a State-level CCA Policy, the structure of the group discussions, and the expected outputs.
