DIMAPUR, NOV 30 (MExN): Chief Conservator of Forest (EB & R) Nagaland, KR Lyndoh, IFS, today urged trainees to interact with the people particularly communities living in forests, asserting that forests need superior supervision involving local communities.
Addressing the convocation of 8th badge forester course at State Environment & Forestry Training Institute, Dimapur as the chief guest, Lyngdoh urged the trainees to cultivate the spirit of endeavor and be committed forest officers. Expressing serious concern over the problems faced by the forest department, Lyngdoh said “so many plans have been created but there is no plan to utilize it”. He also urged the trainees to be ‘practical foresters’. “There is no substitute for national forest. If penicillin had been illuminated before we use it as anti-biotic then where will we get this medicine,” he queried while impressing upon the trainees to “comprehend the work culture.”
T Lotha, IFS, former Director of State Environment & Forestry also spoke at the occasion. In his short speech, Lotha emphasized on the deficiency in basic infrastructure of the department and urged the higher-ups to take note of it. He said that although the department was established in the year 1972, it could obtain patta (land deed) only this year ‘due to the sincerity and dedication of the current faculty members.’ “We are trustee of public trust and we are responsible to help the public. Let us not have imperialistic attitudes,” he advised.
Director, State Environment & Forestry Training Institute, Dimapur gave a report on SEFTI. Delivering the report, the director said that the main objective of imparting forestry training was to produce technically efficient and well-equipped foresters to meet field demands of the state for intensive scientific management of forest. He also said that the topics on forestry and allied subjects such as forest utilization, survey, forest botany, soil conservation, forest engineering and wild life management have been taught to the trainees. He said that the department with a capacity of 20 numbers of seats has successfully conducted professional training programmes for 29 batches of forest guards and eight batches of foresters since its inception. A total of 457 forest guards and 109 foresters have been trained from the institute, he added. He later gave away prizes to the trainees. Kasho H Kinnimi was awarded best forester in academic and Samkei was honoured as best forester in extra-curricular activities while the best forester award in overall performance went to Khrielakuolie Sohu. The 8th batch foresters trainees which was started from June 16 successfully completed their course on November 29. A total of 15 trainees were deputed from the Dimapur division, Mokokchung division, Peren division, Zunheboto division, Social Forestry division and Wildlife division.
The programme was chaired by Dharmendra Prakash, IFS, Conservator of Forest (RPU), Nagaland while K Caroline, Deputy Director of SEFTI delivered the welcome address. M Obed, Assistant Director of SEFTI offered the vote of thanks.
