Officials and participants during the Nagaland Regional Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum 2021 held at Sukhai village of Zunheboto district on August 1. (DIPR Photo)
Nagaland Regional EHNF 2021 concludes
Zunheboto, August 2 (MExN): “For a conservation model to be successful, as much the indigenous knowledge of the community is essential, the participation and engagement of indigenous women in the decision-making process is an important aspect for effective implementation,” expressed Ivan Jimo, Chairman of Sukhai CCA and leader to Tizu Valley Biodiversity and Community Livelihood Network (TVBCLN).
Ivan was addressing the Nagaland Regional Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum 2021 held at Sukhai village of Zunheboto district on August 1, “bringing together voices of the community, government officers, SHG groups, farmers and indigenous organizations towards understanding community conservation model in Sukhai and exploring opportunities for a sustainable future.”
Sukhai village has brought into light the rich biodiversity the village has, and how every effort has been taken towards mobilizing the community members towards preserving the land. Taking the conversation forward, Ivan highlighted upon the indigenous culture and tradition of Sema Naga community which are interlinked to nature since time immemorial.
The forum organized by Balipara Foundation witnessed a total of 35 participants- including resource persons, community representatives and volunteers, stated a DIPR report. With the, ‘Understanding the socio-economic conservation models for biodiversity preservation in Community Conserved Areas’, the event was hosted in partnering with the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) and The Energy and Resources Institute of India (TERI).
The discussion was carried forward by an insightful presentation on “Biodiversity vis- a- vis Shifting Cultivation to Nagaland” by Pikato V Jimo, POU of Nagaland Empowerment through People Economic Development (NEPED) and the General Secretary to Sukhai CCA.
Talking about the traditional farming practices once practiced in the Community Conserved Areas across Sukhai and nearby villages, Jimo stated that conservation won’t be successful, until we provide livelihood options. He added that shifting cultivation does not always degrade the ecology, and it is a far more economically and biologically sustainable way of farming when compared to settled form of agriculture.
Talking on the Article 371A and land ownership in Nagaland, Chief Conservator of Forest (Environment, Biodiversity & Research), Nagaland, Supongnukshi, IFS stated that forest and ecosystem management in the state involves many stakeholders like, forest department, agricultural department and civil Societies, amongst others.
“As per Forest Survey of India report, 2019, over 75.31 % of total geographical area of Nagaland is under forest cover. Open Forest category of forest lands largely fall under the jhum fallow lands,” he informed.
The Nagaland Regional EHNF designed to witness insightful deliberations in context to indigenous people, forest management and traditional practices witnessed informative deliberations and presentations from an eminent panel of other speakers like Dr Rakesh Kumar Chaursia- Head & Sr Scientist to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Nagaland, Heirang Lungalang- Chairman to the Nagaland Community Conservation Area's Forum (NCCAF) and Rokongulie Meyase - Professional bird guide and tour operator from Khonoma CCA.
The grassroot colloquium was strategically designed and orchestrated to focus and explore indigenous perspectives on rural futures context such as biodiversity conservation, community led habitat restoration, harmonic co-existence with nature, grassroots climate action, resilient livelihood through sustainable agricultural practices, traditional handloom and handicrafts. It tried to delve into interesting case studies of the fringe communities in context to indigenous forest conservation, governance and management through Naga traditional customary laws and practices.
Formulating the regional Nagaland chapter, Balipara Foundation in coming days envisions to work closely with the indigenous communities of Nagaland through the its flagship project Rural Futures and Naturenomics™ to ensure a sustainable future for the state and celebrate the indigenous conservationists as the custodians of the natural landscapes - protecting and preserving their lands.
