The Nagaland Community Conserved Area Forum (NCCAF) meet began today at Clark Theological College (CTC), Aolijen, Mokokchung running until June 20. The event, themed “Camaraderie towards Safeguarding our Biodiversity,” is sponsored by Kenono Foundation, LEMSACHENLOK, Kalpavriksh, North East Network, and The Nature Conservancy. The meet aims to bring together diverse stakeholders, including CCAs from various parts of Nagaland, government officials, and NGOs.
Rongsenlemla Imchen, IFS, CF, NTC, Department of Forest & Climate Change, Government of Nagaland, served as the Chief Guest. She underscored the importance of workshops for discussing case studies, success stories, and challenges, advocating for a landscape approach to expand conservation areas. Imchen highlighted the role of community conservation in climate change mitigation and emphasized the need for village councils to manage forest dependency and support marginalized communities.
Rongsenlemla Imchen, IFS, CF, NTC, Department of Forest & Climate Change, Nagaland
In a talk on “Strengthening Community Conserved Areas – Vision and Scope,” Y. Nuklu Phom Advisor NCCAF & Team Leader LEMSACHENLOK emphasized the need for CCAs to unite in addressing challenges such as the plantation of exotic crops, logging, use of salt, drying of rivers and ponds, extinction of seeds, and loss of production. He stressed the urgency of involving policymakers, intellectuals, experts, scientists, civil societies, and communities in addressing the environmental emergency.
Neema Pathak Brome, Secretary, Kalpavriksh and South Asia Coordinator, ICCA Consortium
Neema Pathak Brome, Secretary of Kalpavriksh and South Asia Coordinator of the ICCA Consortium, delivered the keynote address, highlighting Nagaland’s potential as a global leader in conservation. Despite 75% of Nagaland being under forest reserve and over 80% under community control, she noted the lack of statewide policy, legal, technical, and financial support for CCAs. Brome assured continued support from Kalpavriksh.
Heirang Lunglang, Chairperson of NCCAF, delivered the welcome speech and introduction. Co-convenor Ruchinilo Kemp outlined the event’s goals, including networking, fostering solidarity among Nagaland CCAs, and building awareness and capacity on biodiversity conservation while Prof. Rev. Dr. A. Temjen Jamir Principal, CTC delivered the greetings.
The event witnessed the release of documents by Special Guest, Rongsenlemla Imchen, IFS, CF, NTC, Department of Forest & Climate Change, Government of Nagaland.
Akole Tsuhah and Watikala Phom presented the walk-in exhibition, while Rev. Dr. A. Tali Ao, Academic Dean of CTC, pronounced the invocation. A special presentation was presented by the MTBA Youth Department, and a folk fusion performance was provided by the CTC. Seve Vadeo, Secretary of NCCAF, delivered the vote of thanks.
The meet features a plastic-free environment and includes a walk-in exhibition showcasing the bio-cultural diversity of CCA landscapes. Technical and experience-sharing sessions will cover topics such as research, community-led biodiversity surveys, conservation management plans, social equity, carbon mechanisms, community reserves, and legal and policy issues in Nagaland. The NCCAF meet will conclude on June 20, 2024, with 230 delegates in attendance.
