Sendenyu made a pioneering example by creating the first Biodiversity Education Experience Center in the state, which is home to numerous community conservation initiatives. The centre was inaugurated on the May 9, during the two-day Sendenyu Youth Biodiversity Fest 2024 under the theme: “My Forest, My Biodiversity, My Time” at Sendenyu Ecotourism Destination Centre, New Sendenyu from May  9-10, informed a press release.

Altogether, 116 youths and children participated in the two-day fest. The fest was organised by the Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Board (SCB&WCB) and Kenono Foundation which is one of its first kind in Sendenyu. Sendenyu has been one of the pioneers in community biodiversity conservation for over 24 years in Nagaland.

The fest kicked off with the inauguration of the Biodiversity Education Experience Centre which is dedicated to creating a space where intergenerational learning of the past, the present and the future of our biodiversity could be fostered. Jilo Bukh, an elder and custodian of traditional knowledge in Sendenyu delivered the dedication prayer for the centre and, Gwasinlo Thong, Chairperson of SCB&WCB and Member of Indigenous People & Local Communities- Advisory Committee (IP&LC-AC) WCS inaugurated the centre. “Although a humble beginning, the centre is a long cherished dream and a result of the dedication and sacrifice of the people for the village biodiversity conservation from the very beginning,” remarked Thong.

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Another key highlight of the fest was the launching of the centre’s first capacity-building and awareness program which was supported by the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) under a project funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The capacity-building session on community conservation efforts and leadership development was designed for youths with Dr. Viposa Kiso, Director Gethemgo as the resource person under the topic “Re-imagining your mojo for biodiversity”. The awareness creation of biodiversity and local knowledge was designed for children and youths and was facilitated by Nayantara Siruguri from Canopy Collective and the Kenono Foundation team under the themes of leave play, tree & plant game, nature moves and befriending a tree. The fest featured adventure and competitive games such as angling, catapult shooting and swimming.

The creative activities of the fest invigorated the youths and created deep curiosity in the love for biodiversity amongst the children. Members from NSBB led by Neizokhotou Belho and Aja Zinyu, Technical Advisor GIZ Nagaland encouraged the participant with their presence and words of encouragement. Ruchinilo Kemp, a native of Sendenyu, also the Chief Executive of Kenono Foundation and Steering Committee Member, of the United Nations Environment Program- WCMC, ICCA Registry said in the press release, “The centre is a milestone in the community’s endurance journey, we would love to share and be part of everyone’s biodiversity conservation journey.”