The District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), Wokha, convened its monthly meeting on July 19 at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Wokha. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman DPDB, Vineet Kumar, IAS, in the presence of Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan and MLA, Mhonbemo Humtsoe.
The session commenced with a review of previous meeting agendas, followed by a comprehensive presentation from the Forest Department, Wokha. Key areas discussed included, firstly, Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation, where the department presented data indicating elephant presence in over 100 villages, with 60 identified as conflict zones. It was noted that the Wildlife Institute of India had surveyed 126 villages to support detailed data collection. Major crop losses due to elephant activity include rice, arecanuts, taro, and rubber. It was notified that plans were underway to establish a dedicated Human-Elephant Conflict Control Room to address these concerns with greater efficiency.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Secondly, it focused on the Amur Falcon Conservation and JICA Project, where updates were shared on ongoing conservation efforts and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) initiative, encompassing 20 villages in the district.
Lastly, it discussed the Nursery Development and Afforestation Initiatives, for which activities under Nagar Van Yojana and related schemes were highlighted, showcasing the department’s engagement in plantation and eco-restoration efforts.
During the discussion, Advisor Mhathung Yanthan emphasised the importance of long-term ecological and livelihood planning. He called upon all departments and agencies in Wokha to align their strategic proposals with the vision of Viksit@Wokha2047, inspired by the national roadmap of Viksit Bharat@2047. He further stressed the need to integrate district-level plans with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urged stakeholders to submit actionable proposals targeting improved outcomes.
In referencing the Northeast SDG Index, the Advisor underscored that it was imperative to elevate Wokha district’s performance across development indicators and work towards a higher ranking in subsequent assessments.
The meeting showcased a unified commitment towards cohesive planning, environmental stewardship, and transformative development, reinforcing the district’s aspiration to achieve equitable progress through collective effort.
