Nagaland gets its first digital Botanical Garden through Digital Tree Guide Initiative

November 5, 2024 5 Views No Comment

Kohima, November 5 (MExN): The social work cum Digital Tree Guide Initiative programme was held at the State Botanical Garden, Aradurah Hill, New Ministers’ Hill, Kohima on November 4.

The event highlighted the Digital Tree Guide initiative, designed to help individuals easily identify and learn about local trees, thereby enhancing ecological awareness and appreciation. “This initiative aims to bring nature closer to our fingertips,” Florence T Sangtam, Range Forest Officer, Silviculture Division, Kohima stated.

In his welcome address, Chisayi, IFS, Silviculturist and Divisional Forest Officer, Kohima, commended the dedicated staff from the Silviculture Division and expressed gratitude to the Conservator of Forests (Research Planning and Utilization and Northern Territorial Circle) for her motivation and support in developing the botanical garden. He emphasised the importance of eco club students as representatives of nature enthusiasts, urging them to deepen their environmental knowledge.

Conservator of Forests, Rongsenlemla Imchen, IFS, spoke about the history and objectives of the botanical garden, which was established to facilitate in-situ and ex-situ conservation of endangered species, serve as a center of excellence, and provide recreational opportunities for visitors. She discussed Nagaland’s unique landscape and rich biodiversity, as well as traditional management practices upheld over generations.

Imchen also highlighted the garden’s potential for interactive learning through high technology, such as QR codes, and encouraged staff to document traditional management methods to sustain biodiversity. She reminded attendees that the botanical garden, the only one in the state, is vital for scientific research and aesthetic appreciation, urging collective responsibility for its upkeep.

Jiang Konyak, Forester I, engaged Eco club students in a QR code demonstration activity alongside their teachers. In her closing remarks, Y Wanshom, Forester I, expressed gratitude to the teachers and Eco club students from Government High School, Forest Colony, for their enthusiastic participation. She also extended appreciation to the Department of Agriculture for providing the necessary tools and implements to maintain the botanical garden.

The programme saw participation from 10 Eco-club students and teachers, along with staff from the Silviculture Division, marking a significant step towards fostering environmental stewardship and community involvement.