Chizokho Vero
Kohima | May 9
The Village Vision Cell (VVC), initiated by the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), Kohima in 2010, to pave way for socio-economic development of people in the rural areas has now started to bear fruits with positive responses and developmental activities reported from various quarters of Kohima district.
The VVC is unique in its nature with members drawn from different backgrounds; be it retired officers, bureaucrats, businessman, entrepreneurs, contractors etc; who assume various roles, such as, a think tank, facilitator and network to work for the welfare and developmental activities of the village. This is done in coordination with the VDB and VCC of the respective villages.
Recently, a workshop on the related matter held here resolved to constitute a VVC in every village under Kohima district. It also resolved to prepare the Vision Plan 2020 and to request VDBs from every village to reserve a certain percentage of their funds for VVC initiatives.
After the introduction of VVC, Kidima village now has a standard playfield and a magnificent village council hall. The old council hall also been converted into a guest house. A Village Education Board of Trustees has been instituted to facilitate meritorious students for higher studies as well as to help students belonging to the weaker sections of the community.
As part of its back-up to Self Help Groups (SHGs), a plot of land for construction of a marketing shed in Kohima has been purchased. An Agri link road has been constructed in 9 locations in the village and a link road and footpath to all 6 khels have been completed.
To keep up with modernity, internet facility was installed during the golden jubilee celebration of Kidima Students Union. Women participation has also improved with members and representatives in all village organizations.
Other works in progress include water supply, protection of government land, seminar on economic crops, land/fishery development, livestock and poultry farming and sanitation. It also focuses on banking facility, road and transport, etc.
Vision 2011-2020 included focus on renewable energy, construction of a multipurpose dam, view tower, study/tuition centre, indoor stadium and the up gradation of the high school to a higher secondary level by 2020. It also planned to continue ban on hunting, to encourage villagers to take up bamboo plantation on large scale, ban on import of animals and also to identify the possibility of constructing an airport.
VVC also proposed to continue prohibiting the sale of all intoxicating drugs, wine and gambling (card) within the village jurisdiction. The VVC proposed plantation of ornamental and fruit trees on both side of the road.
Kigwema VVC convenor, Dominic Yasokie said that the VVC aims to promote the development of ecology and improving the living standards. He expounded on the VVC’s role as facilitator, mobilizer, catalyst, partner, networker, programmer, trainer, consultant, policy designer and project implementer. He said that the VVC accordingly brought out a vision statement with the theme “Sustainable Growth and Inclusive Development 2020” with three years action plan.
The action plans thus evolved and was entrusted to the various corresponding committees and organizations existing under the village council authority.
He informed that the village has signed a MoU with the Forest Department to set up a bio-diversity management committee for reservation of forest at Japfu peak. The village has successfully constructed power tiller tracts at Tsieazu paddy fields and another project is underway at Khuzaka paddy field plateau. The village has also completed the longest irrigation channel, Chiiziihi which stretches from below Japfu peak to Tsieazu, below Mima village.
Other activities undertaken included; improvement of the playground, water supply, creation and maintenance of drainage and participation in a documentary film production on conservation of bio-diversity, forest and environment with the Forest Department.
Its action plan among the others included; survey and mapping of fields for organic farming, construction of organic marketing shed and cold storage, livestock regulation, exploration of hydro, solar and wind potentials, construction of art and culture centre, development of an adventure tourism institute and setting up of the Nagaland Aero Club.
These initiatives were made to facilitate destination development and to support the educated unemployed and school drop outs to attain higher learning. It also aimed to encourage the unemployed and the dropouts to take up income generating activities and to arrange awards for meritorious students.
