Zunheboto Forest Division launches website

Aims to promote conservation effort and eco-tourism in the district 

Aims to promote conservation effort and eco-tourism in the district 

A screenshot of the Zunheboto Forest Division's website which was officially launched on September 29. (Morung/screenshot Photo)
 

Aims to promote conservation effort and eco-tourism in the district 
 

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | September 29 


In a novel initiative, the Zunheboto Forest Division with the objective of promoting conservation efforts as well as documentation of various related activities has launched a website.  


The website - http://www.zunhebotoforest.in  – was officially launched by Additional Chief Secretary, L Kire, IFS in Dimapur on September 28.


Apart from conservation effort, the primary objective is to promote homestay and eco-tourism sites in the district, by documenting and creating awareness digitally. While the division is part of the Department of Environment Forest and Climate Change Nagaland, the present initiative was an individual effort, it was informed. 


While the district has many eco-tourism as well as others related sites, often reliable information on such sites or places are not available. In addition, tourists and other researchers often find difficulty in locating places as well as concerns over their lodging and travels.  

 
The website aims to fill the gap by providing authoritative information on such matters, informed Rajkumar M, IFS, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Zunheboto Division. 


While the district has varied offering to different sort of visitors – for academic as well as leisure – often, such information are not visible to them. The website, according to  Rajkumar, aims to correct the deficiencies and provide a one-stop access to all information regarding the district. 


For starter, the website has listed complete information regarding Homestays in Zunheboto Town, Sukhai Village, Nikuto Village  and Ghukiye Village.


More will be added, informed the DFO. 


In addition, four eco-tourism sites are listed on the website along with description point of contact. 


The Ghosu Bird Sanctuary, home to wide range of avifauna and is a prime destination for bird lovers, jointly managed by the Ghukiye and Nikuto village community. As many as 20 endangered bird species can be found in this sanctuary, it informed. 


Another is Satoi Range, the habitat of Blyth's Tragopan, the state bird. The Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) comprises of three villages namely- Sukhai, Ghukhuyi and Kivikhu village is also an ideal  destination for both researcher as well as tourist. 


The Thuwuni festival in Pughoboto around the 3rd/4th week of November is also another listed. Celebrated with an aim to promote, preserve and sustain the traditional culture and identity while generating livelihood opportunities for the villagers by providing market and channelled network, the festival showcases traditional culture, indigenous games and sports, adventure sports, farmer's market and music festival.


Interestingly, DFO Rajkumar further informed that the website was developed free of cost. Coredroid Technology, a Chennai-based software development company dealing in competitive services in consulting, technology and outsourcing, developed the site as a part of their social responsibility and conservation effort, he said. 


The division has also created an official Facebook page (@zunhebotoforest) and Twitter handle for real time connection and create awareness, he added. 

 

Zunheboto Forest Division
The Division is headed by a DFO, who also heads the Divisional Management Unit under the Nagaland Forest Management Project while the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Tokugha Chophy is the second in command. Chophy is also the Assistant DMU of the district. 


According to the website, the Division, which was earlier under Mokokchung division, was established in 1983-'84.  Presently, the administrative set up of the division, apart from Division HQ, includes 5 forest ranges and 3 forest beats.
The ranges are Zunhebto Range, Satakha Range, Suruhuto Range,  Pughobto Range and Akuluto Range. The beats are - VK Beat, Atoizu Beat and Aghunato Beat.


 A total of 36 executive staff and 13 regular ministerial staff are looking after the division. 

 

Status of Forest Cover
As per the information provided on the website, Zunheboto has 934 Sq. km under forest cover, which is 74.42% of its geographical area.  It has 84 Sq.km under very dense forest, 369 Sq.km under moderately dense forest and 481 Sq.km under open forest.


Overall, based on interpretation of satellite data pertaining to October -December 2015, the forest cover of the state is 12,489 Sq.km which is 75.33% of the State's geographical area. 


In terms of forest canopy density classes, the State has 1,279 Sq.km area under very dense forest, 4,587 Sq.km are under moderately dense forest and 6,623 Sq.km under open forest, it informed. 


There are 6 Protected Forests and 1 Purchase Land in the district. Xamunuboto, Aotsakili, Suruhuto, Suruhuto, Sapotimi, Lizutomi  and Athumzu are the Protected Forests while Kisakita is listed as the 1 Purchase Land.