A One-day International Seminar on ‘Community Efforts for Conservation and Biodiversity’ was held at the Kohima Campus of Nagaland University in Meriema on 14 November.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Women’s Studies Centre & Department of Education, Nagaland University, in collaboration with Education Society Nagaland University.

Director of Women’s Studies Centre, NU Prof Dr Lungsang Zeliang, in her keynote address highlighted the present circumstances and practices of the various Naga communities and the government in conserving biodiversity in Nagaland.

The theme was deliberated over by two international speakers from Chiangmai University, Thailand – Prof Dr Yos Santasombat and Dr Arratee Ayuttacorn.

Dr Santasombat spoke on ‘Bio-diversity: Local Knowledge and sustainable development’ while Dr Ayuttacorn focused on ‘Community-based Forest Management and Indigenous Knowledge of the Karen in Northern Thailand’.

Associate Professor, Department of Education, NU Dr Khotole Khieya, also gave a talk on ‘Community Efforts on Conservation and Management of the Environment in Nagaland’.

The speakers were unanimous about the important role played by the community in environmental conservation and the protection of biodiversity.

They also stressed the need for documentation of the forest wealth and on also on sharing of knowledge and experiences in this area as global citizens.

The lectures were followed by a video presentation on Bio-Diversity in Nagaland by the PG Students of the Department of Education, NU.

During the deliberation and discussion session, ideas, perspectives, methods and techniques on how the Nagas and communities from Northern Thailand conserve and preserve biodiversity and local knowledge were exchanged.

The programme was chaired by Dr Anu G S, Assistant Professor Department of Education. The vote of thanks was pronounced by Dr Neizo-ü Mero, Assistant Prof, Department of Education, NU.