Minister CL John and others during the inaugural programme of Nagaland Forest Management Project funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency for Batch-IV under Mon Range was held at the Chenwetnyu Council Hall, Mon on September 10.
Mon, September 11 (MExN): The inaugural programme of Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency for Batch-IV under Mon Range was held at the Chenwetnyu Council Hall, Mon on September 10. It was graced by with Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Village Guards, Government of Nagaland, CL John, as the special guest.
Nockpai, VCC of Chenwetnyu Village in his address, stated that the programme was organised to create awareness and sensitise the community about the project activities to be implemented in the village and encourage the villagers to cooperate and foster the relationship with the Department to execute the activities smoothly.
H Tokugha Chophy, SFS, DFO-cum-DMU Head, Mon Forest Division highlighted the objectives and importance of the NFMP project, emphasising its role in ecosystem preservation and to increase the forest cover through afforestation thereby combating climate change, Livelihood improvement and income generating opportunities through the project, and to ensure long-term benefits for the community.
Chophy highlighted that the JICA project has brought multiple benefits to the village. Along with the financial support that has improved local livelihoods, the project has also created opportunities for knowledge sharing and skill development. Capacity-building programmes carried out by DMU supporting staff and FNGOs, who bring with them a wide range of multidisciplinary expertise, have equipped community members with practical knowledge and confidence to manage resources more effectively. This combination of financial and technical support has helped strengthen both the economy and the capacities of the village. He further informed that under NFMP, a total of 185 villages across 22 ranges in 16 districts are to be covered within a span of ten years through four batches.
The project was launched in 2017–2018, in Mon Division, 20 villages were selected, with 15 villages falling under the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd batches, and five villages under Batch IV. Chenwetnyu Village is one among the five villages under Batch IV.
Under Mon Division, a total of 20 villages were selected i.e. 11 villages under Mon Range and nine under Naginimora Range.
DMU Staffs, FMU staffs, and FNGO coordinator also explained their roles and the activities to be taken up at the grassroot level and hence, requested the communities to co-operate with the Department and also encouraged them to set an example to other communities by preserving and protecting the environment.
In his address, Minister CL John advised the community that the project aims to bring stable environment and ecological balance in harmony with their lifestyle. He encouraged the villagers to work diligently to ensure the success of the project.
He further stated the benefits of the project seeks to solve the global warming issues such as Air pollution, improve forest cover through afforestation, improve the standard of life and enhance Community Conservation Area network by improving the habitats of wildlife and create a healthy environment for the state. He urged Self Help Groups to make the best use of the revolving funds provided by the Department and to contribute wholeheartedly towards achieving the project’s objectives.
