Participants were given chicks (Poultry) by Lodelu Chizami Community Reserved Area, supported by Phek Forest Division, Phek.
Chizami, March 24 (MExN): A workshop on biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods was held on March 24 at the Village Council Hall, Chizami with the objective of strengthening community conservation efforts and enhancing livelihoods of the people.
A press release received here stated that the workshop was organised by Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Phek Forest Division in collaboration with the Biodiversity Management Committee, Chizami Village. Enyiwekha Wezah, DFO Phek and Chenibemo Odyuo, Senior Project Manager, Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) facilitated the sessions as resource persons.
Addressing the gathering, Enyiwekha Wezah emphasised on the importance of biodiversity conservation for the well-being of people and planet. He highlighted that biodiversity is not just an environmental issue but connected interictally with social, economic, cultural and spiritual fabric of communities.
Sharing some concerns of environmental issues such as deforestation, climate crisis, pollution, excessive hunting, forest fires, exploitative and extractive production mode etc, he called upon the community people to take more responsibility in safeguarding community resources such as forests, land, water and wildlife. The link between biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods is one that offers hope, opportunities and chance to shape the future.
He encouraged the participants to increase community conserved areas, promote ecological agricultural practices, embraced diverse livelihoods, restore degraded grasslands, regenerate water bodies, etc to have healthy, resilient and sustainable future.
Chenibemo Odyuo in his session on the Status of community Conserved Areas (CCAs) and Conservation Management Plans in Nagaland, with special focus to Phek, highlighted the conservation efforts within the state. He enlightened the participants on the difference between Community Conserved Area and Community Reserved Area.
Emphasising the importance of having community-based conservation plan, he encouraged the participants to have biodiversity management plans- vision, objectives, action plan, implementation and monitoring. He shared two positive stories of CCAs - Mount Pauna Biodiversity Conservation Forum in Peren and Zanibu Community Conserved Area in Phek district.
KhroweloThopi, VDB Secretray, Chizami moderated the way forward session. The participants deliberated in the group discussion and resolved to have a biodiversity management plan in collaboration with FES, to observe Bird Count Day annually and to promote homestays in the village to facilitate eco-tourism.
Lhiwulo Rhakho, Chairman of BMC, led the workshop, Kezutshiitso Wezah GB gave welcome address and Kolo Naro, Chairman of LCCRA, gave vote of thanks. Kekhwetshiilo Lasuh, VC Chaplian and Welhizou Wetsah, CWS invoked God’s blessings.
More than 100 participants attended the workshop. Following the workshop, to enhance the livelihoods of the community, the participants were given chicks (Poultry) by the Lodelu Chizami Community Reserved Area (LCCRA), supported by Phek Forest Division, Phek.
