Kohima, June 7 (MExN): The North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), Kohima is implementing an integrated project with the objective of sustainably enhancing the quality of lives, particularly in 23 villages of Pungro and Khonsa blocks under Kiphire district. It is also working with farmers to increase their agriculture, horticulture and piggery production through improved management and cultivation practices informed a press release issued by NEIDA Kohima. In order to support the communities conservation efforts, after discussions with various Villages Councils four villages, namely Fakim, Salomi, Pungro and Pinkim villages were selected for putting up barbed wire fencing. In all four villages Mithuns are reared in the conserved community forest. Altogether, the current Mithun population stands at 274 (valued at Rs 1.5 Crores taking current market value for an adult Mithun). The fencing of combined 6 kilometer took 4 weeks to complete in the month of May 2017 and was a collaborative effort whereby the Tata Trust supported the purchase of fencing materials and under the leadership of the Village Councils of the four villages, the community members contributed 3746 Man days (Rs. 7.4 Lakhs) for putting up the fencing. Additionally, the Village Councils also took the initiative to provide food and refreshment for the entire duration of the fencing work. “The impacts we expect to see through the fencing is continuation of the conservation efforts of the villages as well as enable farmers to rear more number of Mithuns thereby supplementing their income from the sale of Mithuns,” NEIDA Kohima added. The entire project is funded by the Tata Trust, Mumbai.
