Wokha DMU officials during a review meeting held at Forest Colony Community Hall in Wokha on May 29.
Wokha, May 31 (MExN): The annual review meeting of the Wokha District Management Unit (DMU) for 2025-26 was held at the Forest Colony Community Hall on May 29, bringing together district administration officials, forest department personnel, Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Forest NGOs (FNGOs) to assess the year's achievements and plan future activities.
The meeting was chaired by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO)-cum-DMU Head, Wokha, Suman W M Sivachar, IFS, who delivered the welcome address and outlined the agenda.
Among those present were SDO (Civil) Echungbemo Erui, EAC Probationer Vilhoumenuo Tetso, Wokha Range FMU Head Grace Kikon, Doyang Beat FMU Head Lansothung Lotha, DMU support staff, representatives of FNGO Natural Nagas, Village Council members, JFMC presidents and members from Batch I, II, III and IV villages, and SHG representatives from the four batches.
Presenting the annual review, Grace Kikon highlighted activities undertaken during 2025-26, including the status of nurseries in Batch IV villages, progress across Batch I to IV villages, register maintenance, and JFMC review meetings.
Lansothung Lotha provided an overview of project interventions under the Doyang Beat, focusing on the area covered by forestry interventions, maintenance works, the status of Batch IV villages, register maintenance, JFMC review meetings, and challenges encountered during implementation.
DMU Planning and Livelihood Expert Abeno Ovung presented details of livelihood activities undertaken during the year and the annual work plan for 2026-27. Monitoring and Evaluation Expert Mhabemo Lotha shared findings from DMU inspections and monitoring visits along with recommendations, while Capacity Building, IEC and Documentation Expert Mhathung Lucas Humtsoe highlighted success stories and best practices recorded during the year.
FNGO Team Leader Ethel Odyuo of Natural Nagas presented a report on activities carried out during 2025-26, including supervision of SHG Income Generating Activity (IGA) revolving funds under the second and third cycles, business plan preparation, JFMC assessment reports, assistance during DMU inspections, facilitation of JFMC and SHG meetings, support for forestry intervention models, capacity building on the mobile application WEB GIS, livelihood data entry, monitoring of Batch IV nurseries, and challenges faced during implementation.
JFMC presidents from several villages shared their field experiences, key learnings and benefits derived from the programme. SHG representatives from New Riphyim, Longsa, Yikhum and Nungying villages also presented updates on their IGAs and revolving fund repayments, while expressing gratitude to the FNGOs, DMU Wokha and FMUs for their continued support.
Based on JFMC assessment data, Niroyo Village JFMC was adjudged the Best JFMC, while Longaro SHG of New Changsu Village received the Best SHG award based on gradation performance.
Addressing the gathering, SDO (Civil) Echungbemo Erui suggested selecting plantation sites away from roadsides to minimise interference from other developmental activities. He also recommended that the department sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with village communities in the presence of the district administration as a witness to prevent encroachment and ensure stricter protection of conserved forest areas.
He further stressed the need for convergence in livelihood programmes through collaboration with agriculture and allied departments under the "One District One Product" and "One Village One Product" initiatives. The officer also advocated coordination with the Disaster Management Department to tackle forest fire incidents and called for greater efforts to motivate youth to participate in skill development programmes.
In his concluding remarks, Suman W M Sivachar thanked Echungbemo Erui for his valuable suggestions and appreciated the contributions of FMU heads, DMU support staff, field personnel, FNGOs, JFMCs and SHGs. He attributed the success of the meeting to their collective efforts, dedication and active participation.
