Officials pose for photo during the FBMP review meeting held in Mokokchung on July 3.
Mokokchung, July 4 (MExN): The Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project (FBMP) on July 3 held its half-yearly review meeting in Mokokchung to assess implementation progress, address challenges and chart the way forward for biodiversity conservation and community-based natural resource management.
The meeting, held at Marepkong Community Hall, was significant as it was the first time the review was conducted outside Kohima in one of the project's implementing districts, facilitating greater field-level interaction and coordination among officials and project personnel from different districts.
FBMP is a German government-assisted project financed through KfW Development Bank. Launched in 2021, it is being implemented by the Nagaland Forest Department and the Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED) in five districts, covering 13 conservation landscapes and 64 villages through Community Conserved Area Management Committees.
The programme began with a welcome address by Deputy Project Director and Conservator of Forests (STC), Hukato Chishi. Representatives from the Forest Divisions of Tuensang, Wokha, Kohima, Peren and Mokokchung, along with NEPED-I and NEPED-II, presented reports on project progress, achievements and key implementation challenges.
The review covered conservation activities, springshed proposals, mitigation of human-elephant conflict, implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), institutional and physical connectivity, GIS surveys, geotagging, financial progress, documentation, livelihood interventions, convergence, signage, natural resource management maps and inspection of civil structures.
Participants also discussed the Conservation Fund, selection of pilot villages, livelihood enterprise development and greater involvement of churches and faith-based institutions in conservation initiatives.
The meeting stressed timely implementation of project activities, proper documentation, accurate reporting and regular field monitoring.
The review concluded with remarks by Conservator of Forests (NTC) Aochuba, followed by the concluding address by Project Director and Conservator of Forests (D&P) Sidramappa Chalkapure, who outlined the way forward for the project.
The meeting reaffirmed FBMP's commitment to sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation and improved rural livelihoods through coordinated efforts involving government agencies, local communities and project stakeholders.
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