The meeting of the High-Power Committee of the JICA assisted Nagaland Forest Management Project Society was held in the Conference Room of the Chief Secretary, Civil Secretariat, Kohima on Wednesday. According to DIPR, the objective of the meeting was to review progress of the project and approve the work programme for the coming financial year, 2024-25.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that the project was now in its 7th year and has so far covered an area of 35,082 hectares in 144 villages against a target of 185 villages and an area of 79,000 hectares. Altogether, 410 Self Help Groups have received revolving funds in the form of loan under the project and it was stated that the repayment of 1st cycle of the loan was 100 % in the first batch villages.

It was also informed that altogether, around 78 lakh seedlings have been raised and planted and around 18 lakh person days employment have been generated by the project.

The work plan for the coming financial year presented the project target of 41 villages covering an area of 9129 hectares. A live demo of the inhouse developed Management Information System (MIS) program was presented in the meeting. The Project Management Consultants highlighted the innovations and good practices taken up in the project and also gave a detailed presentation about the potential of forestry projects in the state in the international carbon market.

Chief Secretary Nagaland, J. Alam, IAS, who is also the Chairperson of the High-Power Committee, conveyed his appreciation of the MIS program developed by the project and stated that the program could be used by other departments also. He also lauded the Forest Department on the implementation and progress of the project and the efforts made by the project for convergence with other agencies.

The State Government representatives from the Finance Department, the Agriculture Production Commissioner, PHED, Director, Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change also attended the meeting.  The project was represented by the Project Management Unit, NFMP headed by the Chief Project Director, Dharmendra Prakash.

The Annual Report of the project was also released and the meeting concluded with the Chief Project Director thanking the Chairman HPC and all the other representatives for their support and presence.