DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 17 (MExN): Nagaland is one among the 12 mega-biodiversity rich area in the world covering 2.5 % of forest cover of India and 80 % of Nagaland itself covers both open and close forests. The facet of biodiversity in Nagaland is not as it is in other parts of the globe. What makes biodiversity unique in Nagaland is the existence of ‘Community Conserved Area’ which is to some extent a success story.
On October 16, while addressing the students of Government College Dimapur at a workshop on “Green and Wild’ organised by an NGO Earth Patrol, Temjen, IFS, remarked that “Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) which is a central government initiative is at a success rate of 80% in Nagaland because of the strong governance in the grass root level.” According to statistics, forest department holds only 11% while rest of the 89% to 90% land belongs to the people.
“Local people are doing a better job than the Government in our state because of the recent trend of declaring a good patch of land as forest or community reserve. The unique Land Holding System which lies with the people makes the community conserve possible”, Temjen said.
However, he said that the only ‘hitch in the machinery’ is that people expect assistance and fund from the government. Expressing misery over this, he said that Naga people are still living in ‘1947 mindset’. He said that they misunderstand the steps the Government takes for them when it is considerate enough to make special provision in the Constitution. “An important provision in the Nagaland Legislation is that the Customary Law holds precedence in settlement of disputes, Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution but we still have the mindset that Government is only a funding agency”, Temjen added.
Temjen challenged the students to do something for a ‘change’. “Gradually a change is coming but so many things in Nagaland are not in the right perspective. Documentation of flora and fauna is very important and youth can do something”, Temjen said in conclusion.
President of Earth Patrol Sentienla said the welcome speech. She encouraged the students to spread awareness and to generate ideas for environmental enrichment. She also said that ‘situation is serious enough to take some steps.’ The workshop was hosted by W. Lasuh. Later, the students were also attended a career-guidance by resource persons from IIJT.
Earth Patrol is an NGO which advocates sensible outlook of people towards nature and the socio-physical environment. In the pursuit of its aim, Earth Patrol constantly interacts with experts at state and national level to become a knowledge-resource and is dedicated to undertaking within its capacity any project that can bring about qualitative outcome in the field, at any level.
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