Kohima Forest Division shortlisted for SKOCH Award

Morung Express News
Kohima | August 6

‘Project Future,’ an initiative of the Kohima Forest Division has been shortlisted for the SKOCH Award, that was instituted in 2003 to salute people, projects and institutions that go the extra mile to make India a better nation.

In his presentation, Rajkumar M, IFS, DFO, Kohima talked about the unique environment issues in Nagaland as well as emerging issues of wildlife and general environment issues like deforestation, water pollution, e-waste, air pollution, and impact of climate change. In interior villages and boundary of Indo-Myanmar border, he noted that “people are still not aware that hunting is a crime and such lack of awareness needs more effort for environment protection.”

He also spoke about traditional solutions, which were hampered because of the pandemic but has further led to ‘Project Future,’ an innovative project which was initiated on World Environment Day last year.

‘Project Future’ for which the Award was nominated, emphasizes on Environment and Ecosystem Conservation by initiating various innovative activities to spread awareness on the importance of our environment and ecosystem and to effectively reach urban and rural areas with environment awareness message, create environmental thinking among the young minds, with community partnership.

The innovative ways through which these are being addressed include an innovative video using ‘Jenga’ highlighting the importance of the ecosystem; Green Box, that is reaching the remotest villages by setting up ‘green’ lending libraries in villages with books on environment related topics and managed by Village youth; Innovative signage, reaching the urban population in collaboration with Kohima Police; and Reaching out to schools during the pandemic through online competitions like logo, essay, oratorical, painting, etc. This particular initiative has also received participation from 32 schools in the Indo-Myanmar border districts.

While ‘Project Future’ has also received great appreciation from the Jury, one can also register and vote for SKOCH Award by filling out the Registration Form (https://exhibition.skoch.in/register/) and following the steps to vote for it. Public vote link closes on Sunday at 12:00 noon.