KOHIMA, OCT 25 (MExN): Although there are excellent initiatives across Nagaland towards conservation of nature, a lot can still be done. Ashish Kothari said there is hardly any documentation, very little information even within the state and none outside the state. He also lamented that there was little recognition and respect of these initiatives by people outside the communities as well as little support by government or NGOs, except one or two initiatives where forest department, tourism or NGOs have helped.
Participating in the ongoing workshop on communities and bio-diversity at ATI Hall, Kohima, he said there was uncertain policy and legal backing of these initiatives, inadequate link between conservation and the livelihoods and economic welfare of the communities.
Kothari stressed the need for more long term action plans to deal with these gaps.
He also stated that there is also some potential in the wild life Act and the biological diversity act but these laws are not adequate, regarding the unique situation of Nagaland, especially the fact that most land/forest are owned by the communities.
