The Nagaland Community Conserved Areas’ Forum (NCCAF) has written to the Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Nagaland expressing concerns regarding the government’s push for large-scale oil palm plantations in the state of Nagaland. The Forum outlined that replacing rich ecosystems of Nagaland’s biodiversity with oil palm monocultures would be catastrophic for local biodiversity.
As an organization dedicated to the preservation and sustainable management of Nagaland’s forests and biodiversity, the NCCAF expressed the need to focus on the significant environmental and social risks associated with this initiative.
“The introduction of large-scale oil palm plantations in Nagaland could severely disrupt the delicate balance between conservation and community development. While financial gains from oil palm cultivation might appear promising in the short term, the long-term environmental costs are far more damaging,” stated the Forum.
It cited research and experiencee from other regions which have shown that oil palm plantations often lead to large-scale deforestation, the destruction of critical habitats, loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and water contamination. Furthermore, the monoculture nature of oil palm plantations compromises the resilience of ecosystems and weakens the ability of forests to provide essential service such as carbon sequestration and flood regulation.
“In Nagaland, where forests are rich in unique flora and fauna, the consequences of replacing these ecosystems with oil palm monocultures would be catastrophic for local biodiversity. Species that rely on these forests would lose their habitats, and the communities who depend on forests for sustenance and livelihoods would face environmental degradation that would be difficult to reverse. The long-term impacts of such plantations on soil health, water resources, and ecological stability cannot be understated,” asserted the NCCAF.
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While recognizing that the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change is not the direct implementing agency for oil palm plantations, the Forum expressed belief that the Ministry is the custodian of the State’s environmental integrity.
It urged the ministry to take a strong stance against the large-scale expansion of oil palm in ecologically sensitive areas like Nagaland and to promote alternative sustainable agricultural practices that align with both environmental conservation and the economic well-being of local communities.
“The preservation of Nagaland’s forests is a priority that transcends financial gains, as the long term benefits of conserving biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem services, and protecting the environment far outweigh the short-term profits of monoculture plantations. We believe that with your support, we can work together to safeguard Nagaland’s unique environmental heritage for future generations,” stated the Forum.
The NCCAF was established on November 19, 2014, and currently represents 29 Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) that encompass 120 villages across Nagaland. The organization is voluntary in nature and continues to expand, with more villages eager to join its efforts in protecting natural ecosystems. According to the Forum, 85 percent of CCAs in Nagaland have been self-initiated by the communities without any government intervention- while 15 percent have received support through various governmental initiatives.
The communities’ commitment to conservation is driven by their understanding of the intrinsic value of forests, both for biodiversity and for the sustainable livelihoods they provide, mentioned the NCCAF.
