Delegates from Nagaland in the recently concluded 1st Indian Forestry Congress held in New Delhi from November 22 to 25.
Dimapur, November 27 (MExN): In the recently concluded 1st Indian Forestry Congress organized by Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) in collaboration with Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India held in New Delhi from November 22 to 25, 2011 with the central theme as “Forests in a Changing World”, Nagaland was represented by a seven member delegate led by Samuel Changkija, IFS. The team included Dr. Atsase Thongtsar IFS, Beizo Suokhrie, Issak Zhimomi. T Watinungsang, Wainungsang and Roko Angami drawn from Nagaland Forest Department and some selected Joint Forest Management Committees.
A press note issued by team manager of the Nagaland Delegate, Samuel Changkija, IFS, DFO Peren, stated that the event was inaugurated by Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of Environment and Forests, Government of India who in her inaugural address called for more scientific analysis of the issues relating to forest management in the country in the midst of ever burgeoning pressure on the forests and climate change threat. She also asked for developing reliable data at the state level on forest biomass, increment, non-timber Forest Products, Eco- Tourism etc. while stressing the need for second generation reforms in Joint Forest Management and strengthening the forest bureaucracy in order to meet the increasing pressure on the forests. Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, MP Rajya Sabha in his Presidential address lamented the lack of political commitment for forest conservation as shown by late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi and stressed the need focused research on Coastal mangroves, Hills and Dry Zones of the country. He also emphasized the need of many Van Vigyan Kendras established in the country to promote Agro forestry.
The note also said that as a part of the congress, “Joint Forest Management Conclave”, was organized. The conclave was participated by 19 states including Nagaland. The members from Nagaland highlighted the various benefits received through the implementation of National Afforestation Programme (NAP). Issak Zhimomi, JFMC President of Ghotovi Village while sharing his success story told the gathering that due to the marketing shed constructed by the forest department, the villagers are now able to market their produce and uplift the economy of the village. Watinungsang, President JFMC Longpha Village informed that with the Joint Forest Management initiative, the jhumming cycle of the village has increased from seven years to ten years due to many households abandoning the practice of Jhum cultivation and taking up other income generating activities like poultry, piggery etc. Samuel Changkija summed up the presentation of Nagaland by highlighting the positive impact of National Afforestation Programme in Nagaland as seen in the Forest Survey of India Report 2010 where an increase of Dense Forest cover is recorded in Nagaland. He also pointed the wide Awareness Generation Campaign carried out in the state by the Forest Development Agencies resulting in many villages coming out with their Village resolutions banning hunting and logging in their respective village jurisdiction.
The Congress concluded with the delegates adopting “Forest Charter 2011” having 16 points including attempt to attract sufficient investments in forestry sector to achieve Millennium Development Goal for reducing poverty by half by 2014 and authentication and assessment of the contribution of forestry sector to India’s GDP by setting up a system of natural resource accounting. Need for extensive research and inculcation of forestry issues in our planning and developmental process for holistic and sustainable development by professionalizing the forestry matters in policy and decision making process were also included in the Charter adopted.
