Ango Konyak, DCA (HQ) and Deputy Project Director of NFMP, along with Wennyei Konyak, Resident Commissioner of Nagaland House, New Delhi, receiving the SKOCH Award from the organizers during the award ceremony held in New Delhi on February 15. (Photo Courtesy: PRO, Nagaland House, New Delhi)
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 15 (MExN): The Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) was awarded the prestigious SKOCH Award 2024 during a ceremony held as part of the 100th SKOCH Summit at Silver Oak Hall, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi on February 15.
Ango Konyak, Deputy Conservator of Forests (HQ) and Deputy Project Director of NFMP, along with Wennyei Konyak, Resident Commissioner of Nagaland House, New Delhi, received the award on behalf of the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (DEFCC), Government of Nagaland (GoN).
The NFMP is a project implemented by DEFCC, GoN, with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project aims to improve forest ecosystems and promote income generation by rehabilitating Jhum areas and supporting livelihoods. It focuses on sustainable forest and environmental conservation, while enhancing livelihoods in targeted villages through need-based, village-specific interventions led by Joint Forest Management Committees.
The project period spans from 2017 to 2027 and covers 185 villages across 11 districts and 22 Forest Ranges, with an area of 79,096 hectares under forest intervention. It also aims to form 555 Self-Help Groups under the livelihood component.
The SKOCH Award is one of India’s highest independent honors, recognizing achievements in governance, technology, economics, and the social sector. Known for its rigorous and outcome-based assessment process, the award acknowledges states and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in these fields.
The SKOCH Group, organizers of the award, is India’s leading think tank focusing on socio-economic issues and inclusive growth since 1997. It has established India’s highest civilian honors in the fields of governance, technology, economics, and the social sector. The award was supported by the CEO’s Association for Inclusive India (CAII), a voluntary organization working towards inclusive growth in India through social, digital, and financial inclusion initiatives.
