Efforts to strengthen biodiversity conservation in NE

Kohima | January 28 : A two day long experience sharing workshop on communities’ initiatives for biodiversity conservation in North East India got underway here today at DUDA Guest House under the aegis of Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED) in collaboration with Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore and supported by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT).
In this workshop, prominent researchers in the Northeast working in the field of biodiversity conservation are interacting with the knowledgeable persons who are managing Community Conservation Areas in their respective areas and share their experiences. The workshop also featured discussions on issues such as significance of indigenous ecological knowledge documentation, collective action for community conservation, significance of biodiversity conservation in the Northeast and glimpses of community conservation in Arunachal Pradesh.
Strengths and gaps of the community conservation efforts also featured in the discussion.
Addressing the inaugural function this morning, principal secretary & agriculture production commissioner, H. K. Khulu IAS congratulated the organizers for the initiative of strengthening community conservation efforts in Nagaland. He informed the gathering that the government would facilitate to the extend possible and mentioned the importance of building a close relationship between the community and the district administration. He further appealed the private agencies and committed conservationist to go ahead with their initiative of biodiversity conservation in Nagaland and set an example for the neighbouring states and the nation.
The inaugural session was chaired by commissioner & secretary and team leader NEPED, Temjen Toy IAS. Biswanath Sinha shared on Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Allied Trusts’ Strategy for engaging in ecological security and its priorities in India’s North Eastern region. Short speeches also delivered by representative from Saramati Awung Conservation & Management Society, Kiphire, Hongmong Conservation Committee, Mon and Yai Zone Wildlife Control, Shamator. “Overview of “Strengthening Community Conservation efforts in Nagaland” (SCEN)” was shared by Dr. P.A. Azeez, Director SACON.
The programme was followed by experiences sharing from Nagaland- Zanubu Range Forest Committee (Phek District), Phoyisha Range Conservation (Phek District), Helipong Khong Joint Biodiversity Conservation Area (Tuensang District), Sendenyu Wildlife Sanctuary (Kohima District) and Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (Kohima District).
The session also witnessed talk on “Significance on Indigenous Ecological Knowledge documentation” by Amba Jamir, “A glimpse of Community Conservation Efforts in Arunachal Pradesh” by Piyush Kumar Dutta, “Collective action for community conservation projects” by Nandita Hazarika, “Biodiversity Significance of North East India” by Sudipto Chatarjee and Retrospection and outcomes of SCEN Project by Vengota.

(With inputs from IA, Ahthibung)
 
January 29 programme
9:30 AM: Visit to Khonoma Nature Conservation Tragopan Sanctuary

1130 hrs – Interaction with KNCTS members

1230 hrs – Short trekking into the forest

1430 hrs – Return back to Kohima