V Shashant Shekhar with others during the signing of MoAs with Land Resources department and NEPED under ELEMENT Project in Kohima on December 18. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima| December 18
Nagaland Additional Chief Secretary & Agriculture Production Commissioner and Mission Director ELEMENT, V Shashant Shekhar today said that State Government, Government of India and World Bank are all part of ELEMENT Project to improve the lives of the common people.
The ELEMENT Project (Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management) in Nagaland is a World Bank-supported initiative to restore forests, manage resources sustainably, and boost livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, focusing on integrated landscape management, climate resilience, and community participation across all districts.
It aims to counter degradation from jhum farming and development through scientific approaches, capacity building, and supporting enterprises for women and youth.
“We have been discussing with various departments and central agencies. In the meantime, we are starting today these collaborations. These will be strengthened in the coming days and also extended to other departments,” Shekhar said while speaking at the signing of Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) with the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) and Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED) under the ELEMENT Project in Kohima on December 18.
He said that the World Bank has provided a loan “but it is the State Government and Government of India who will be jointly repaying the loan.”
Stating that one MoA has been signed for spring shed development with Land Resources department, he said “Water is an essential requirement for life itself. We have all read about river valley civilizations- all the ancient civilizations of the world were based around river valleys, one of the main reasons being proximity to water.”
Over the years throughout the country we have been taking out water- either through borewells or using water tankers which draw out water from water bodies like streams, he said adding “But generally speaking we may need to do more to replenish these water bodies. Otherwise, slowly the deepest sources will also dry up and in the coming years the availability of water will become less and less.”
He said that Investment in Research and development is one of the key factors for economic prosperity of any society and country.
He said that NEPED has worked on some projects successfully in the past.
Hekato N, Additional Director, Department of Land Resources and Kovi Meyase, Team Leader NePED also spoke at the programme.
The programme was chaired by Amongla C, Deputy Project Director, ELEMENT project while Limanenla, Joint Secretary, Agriculture, Nagaland proposed vote of thanks.
Dr G. Hukugha Sema, Commissioners & Secretary for land resources, Nagaland also present at the programme.
