The Wokha Forest Division and the Doyang Plantation Division in Collaboration with Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) observed World Environment Day 2024 on Wednesday at Lotha Hoho Ki, Wokha, under the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience”.
Divisional Forest Officer, Wokha, Suman W M Sivachar, IFS, in his speech lauded Nagaland for its significant forest cover, comprising approximately 72 to 73 percent of the land which he said is a noteworthy accomplishment. However, he expressed concern over India’s dwindling forest cover, which currently stands at a mere 24.62 percent of its geographical area.
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Sivachar highlighted the conservation efforts for Amur Falcons in Nagaland as a remarkable success story and detailed how local stakeholders have united to protect these birds. Citing past incidents where tens of thousands were killed in a single day, and annual deaths reached the hundreds of thousands, the DFO praised the active efforts of communities in safeguarding the birds, asserting that Wokha has now become a prominent name in conservation circles.
Sivachar addressed the various environmental degradation factors and urged students to play a role in waste reduction and environmental improvement.
The event highlighted Folk Song and Folk Story competition based on Nature under the Category of Class 5-7, 8-10 and 11-12 from every schools under Wokha Town.
Lansothung Lotha, RFO, Doyang Beat & Doyang Afforestation Range, shared that the idea for having the competitions was to emphasized on indigenous communities’ close relationship with nature, which is often safeguarded in the form of folk songs and lores. He said that this relationship is often translated in the ways indigenous people conserve and protect their environment. Lotha stressed that at a time when these values are fast disintegrating in the face of rapid development, advancement, and modernisation, it is an effort through the WED 2924 to reignite these values and also connect the past with the present younger generation to protect and conserve the fragile environment we live in.
Earlier, an Awareness Walk on Conservation of Environment was held with focus on the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience” and under the slogan “Our Land, Our Future. We are “GenerationRestoration” was conducted witnessing active participation from Students of Wokha District Schools.
The Programme was led by Lansothung Lotha, RFO, Invocation was said by DBHSS Principal, while Longstu Tungoe, retired teacher, shared a short story on the importance of Mt. Tiyi. Vote of Thanks by Abeno Ovung, Planning & Livelihood Expert, NFMP.
