‘Effects of climate change becoming more evident,’ says CCF Nagaland

May 14, 2024 16 Views No Comment

Kohima district remains ‘most vulnerable’

Morung Express news
Kohima | May 14

The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), EBR and PI, NMHS, Supongnukshi, IFS has said that ‘as per the climate change projection for Nagaland, Kohima district is set to be the most affected in agri sector.’

He disclosed this during the one-day CCA Management Plan Workshop for Five NMHS Project Villages: Phesama, Kigwema, Jakhama, Viswema and Khuzama, organised by Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Nagaland, Kohima at the PCCF conference hall on May 13. The workshop was held under the project title “Increasing Carbon Sequestration and Promoting Declining Life Support Forest Species through Community Participation in Kohima District of Nagaland” as part of the National Mission on Himalayan Studies Project of Nagaland.

Supongnukshi also informed that the Government is drafting climate change policy where discussions are being undertaken regarding the impact of climate change for conservation of environment and ecosystems.

Keeping in mind that in Nagaland 60-70% are dependent on agriculture and forest resources for subsistence, the department is also shifting its focus and working more on alleviating the suffering of people affected by the climate change and associated problems and to further preserve forests cover.

The CCF opined that the effects of climate change are becoming more evident year by year which is also being observed in our areas recently. Pointing out that “Kohima district remains the most vulnerable in this regard as compared to other districts,” he added ‘this is because, in Kohima, maximum of the cultivation is dependent on water particularly wet rice cultivation.’ He said while the wet fields, in turn remain consistent if the forest are wealthy, however, groundwater if not sustained effected by climate change have major effect on the farming practices because of changing cycle of rainfall like delay, flooding among others.

The CCF said under the project titled “Increasing Carbon Sequestration and Promoting Declining Life Support Forest Species through Community Participation in Kohima District of Nagaland” as part of the National Mission on Himalayan Studies Project of Nagaland, include mostly the highway villages in the Southern Angami areas.

Supongnukshi said, “Forests doesn’t compose of the trees alone but have many others components forming the ecosystem that need to be conserved equally.” Taking this into conservation, one of the important components is preserving the Dzükou Valley which is being taken care of by few village communities. He said without the support of villages, the pristine Dzükou areas cannot be preserved which has now become a world heritage. While observing that this year, although rainfall has been on time in Northern and eastern side, it may have been delayed in the southern side.

The CCF meanwhile released the CCF management plan of 5 villages including Phesama, Kigwema, Jakhama, Viswema and Khuzama village.

Chief Conservator of Forests (STC) and CO-PI, NMHS Zuthunglo Patton, IFS highlighted the Community Conserved Area (CCA) Management Plan. She said that the plan would not only aid villagers in forest conservation but also serve as a reference for various developmental activities by different organizations and Departments.

Er Keheibamding Thou, Senior Researcher, NMHS Nagaland Project, provided an overview of the project activities carried out over the past four years. Thou presented a paper on increasing carbon sequestration and promoting declining life support forest species through community participation in Kohima District of Nagaland.

The villages adopted under National Mission on Himalayan Studies Project of Nagaland including Phesama, Kigwema, Jakhama, Viswema and Khuzama and organization of Southern Angami villages regarding projects in Dzükou valley also shared inputs and experiences during the workshop.