Participants at the consultative workshop organized by ICIMOD, NSSB and NCCAF at Hotel Japfu, Kohima on September 3. (Photo Courtesy: ICIMOD)
Morung Express News
Kohima | September 3
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Nagaland State Bio-Diversity Board (NSBB), and the Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum (NCCAF) have come together to organize a two-day consultative workshop at Hotel Japfu, Kohima. The event, which began on September 3, is centered on the theme "Exploring Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures through an Indigenous People and Local Communities’ Lens in Nagaland," and focuses on Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) in the state.
In his welcome address, CCF (Environment, Biodiversity & Research) and Member Secretary NSSB, Supongnukshi Ao emphasized the significance of the workshop. He highlighted the presence of ICIMOD, a globally recognized organization, and expressed optimism that the workshop would be productive as the meet has participation of people who matters the most in biodiversity conservation. Ao hoped that the meet will be able to pursue goals which will be tangible and implementable.
Providing an introduction to the consultation, Samuel Thomas, Sr. Communication Officer, ICIMOD said that that the meet will lay emphasis on rights and knowledge of indigenous and local people and hoped that some noble conservation targets can be adopted. Thomas also highlighted Nagaland's unique biodiversity and its critical role in the global conservation discourse.
Sunita Chaudary, Eco-system Specialist, ICIMOD presented the objectives of the consultation which include the possibilities to declare CCAs as OECMS in line with recent declarations of other such sites in India, explore community expectations in terms of government support and incentives for stewardship and discuss the plan of action.
Presentations were delivered on understanding CCAs and NSBB in Nagaland. Supongnukshi Ao, gave a presentation on Protected Areas & Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures on behalf of the Forest Department, Nagaland.
Ivan Zhimomi, Team Leader, Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation & Livelihood Network gave a brief presentation on Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation & Livelihood Network, where he highlighted the objectives, key activities undertaken by the CCA and impact of the CCA on the community. Ruchinilo Kemp, Secretary, Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Board also presented on SCBWCB while an overview of the Nagaland State Bio-diversity Board was presented by Savinuo Kikhi, Forest Range Officer, NSBB.
A session of group discussion was held where participants were divided into groups and each group were given the task to give an understanding and definition of OECM and criteria for OECM from their own point of view.
Day 2 of the workshop will focus on group work where topics such as Exploring the gaps and opportunities for CCAs in Nagaland, developing a common understanding to frame standard CCA frameworks and policy guidelines in Nagaland and outcomes of CCASs and OECMs will be discussed. 65 individuals from 16 CCAs from across the state and government agencies attended day one of the consultative workshop.
