Workshop on working scheme operation and timber trade concludes
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 9
The two-day ‘Workshop on working scheme operation and timber trade’ for officers and staff of the Nagaland Forest Department, timber traders, wood based industries, HPC cleared mills and tree farmers concluded on Friday.
Organized by the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Nagaland, the workshop held in the conference hall of Forest office complex, Dimapur, was with the objectives towards sustainable utilization of forest resources, improving forest cover and systematic streamlining of works as per the guidelines laid by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Supreme Court.
On the decrease in forest cover in Nagaland as per the report of Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) Territorial, Meyipokyim Aier in his opening remark said this was due to the increased frequency of Jhum cultivation. Noting that in recent years, some 35000 trees had been cut down for jhum cultivation, Aier underscored the need for the department to counter the decrease in forest cover through scientific approach and measures.
“We are jointly responsible for sustainability of the forest and as responsible contributors we need to adhere to the rules and regulations laid down by the Ministry,” he said and called upon the timber traders to take into account the long term effects of their business. The APCCF also informed that the department will strictly adhere to the implementation of working schemes.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Nagaland, I Panger Jamir, who graced the second-day workshop as chief guest, said timber traders, tree farmers need sizeable forest land and tree plantations to run their business. Timber traders and tree farmers, he stated, should collectively come up with rules and regulations to address their welfare as well as grievances. Jamir also asserted efforts should be made to ensure that outside parties do not interfere in the business of the local traders.
The PCCF also urged wood-based industries, mills and timber bodies to undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities for mutual benefit of both the community and those in timber business.
Addressing the interface of Nagaland Forest department and wood based industries, APCCF (C), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) Regional office, Shillong, SK Agarwal highlighted on the amendment in Wood Based Industries (Establishment And Regulation) Guidelines 2016, and importance of proper operation of working schemes. He observed that while the conversion register in the state was well maintained, the receipt register of timber logs was not up to the mark.
Comprehensive technical sessions were conducted in the two-day workshop with Dr. Kenei Miachieo, IFS CF (STC), YM Jami, IFS CF (NTC), K Ihevi Aomi, IFS DFO Dimapur and Vivika Sema, Forest Ranger as resource persons.
Earlier, in the inaugural session, Chief Wildlife Warden Dimapur, SP Tripathi, attended as chief guest.
