Nagaland Tackles Alarm Deforestation via €-Backed Himalaya Biodiversity Project Across 64 Villages

Nagaland has recorded the highest rate of forest decline in the country, suffering a loss of 795 square kilometers of forest cover between 2013 and 2023—an area equivalent to roughly 5 percent of the state’s total geographical expanse, according to Principal Secretary of the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DEFCC), Y. Kikheto Sema. Speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day state-level workshop on “Community Conservation: Celebrating Success and Charting the Future” at the Golden Jubilee Hall, Cathedral, Kohima, Kikheto invoked the biblical account of Genesis, reminding citizens of their sacred responsibility as stewards entrusted to protect biodiversity rather than destroy it. Highlighting Nagaland’s unique landholding structure, where government-owned land accounts for barely 5 percent of the total area, he noted that while Article 371(A) serves as a vital constitutional safeguard, it is frequently misunderstood and should not become an obstacle to development or effective environmental protection. Citing India State of Forest Report (ISFR) data, he detailed that the state lost 235 square kilometers between 2018 and 2021 alone, emphasizing that constitutional provisions by themselves cannot reverse climate change or forest loss without active public participation. To address these critical environmental concerns, the state government is executing the Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project (FBMP) in collaboration with NEPED and backed by German financial cooperation. Operating with a budget allocation of ₹65.70 crore spanning 2020 to 2027, the initiative covers 41,000 hectares across 64 villages and 13 Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) in Kohima, Mokokchung, Peren, Shamator, Tuensang, and Wokha districts to protect local ecosystems while uplifting forest-dependent populations. To provide sustainable economic alternatives, the government is also promoting commercial plantations of coffee, rubber, tea, agarwood, and arecanut alongside organic farming to boost youth employment and rural incomes. Hosted by Nand Kishor Agrawal and featuring roadmaps from Project Director Sidramappa Chalkapure, the session incorporated reflections from community leaders across various villages, concluding with a vote of thanks from Dr. Rokhu Savio Krocha as Kikheto urged all participants to serve as dedicated ambassadors for biodiversity preservation.