German delegation advises to improve living condition and prevent rural exodus
Dimapur, May 1 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched the Biodiversity and community conserved area management project in the presence of German delegation headed by the Chargé d’affaires Dr. Jasper Wieck in Kohima on Tuesday. It was done with the permission of the Election Commission of India.
The German delegation, including the German Consul General in Kolkata, Michael Feiner, representatives of KfW Development Bank and the German Organisation for International Cooperation (GIZ) visited Nagaland as part of the Indo-German environmental programme.
“Special attention was paid to the official launch of the forestry and biodiversity management project between India and Germany in the Himalayan Region component Nagaland. KfW development bank is responsible for its implementation. Indian project partners are the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) and the Nagaland Forest Department as well as the Nagaland Environment Protection and Economic Development Agency (NEPED),” read a statement from the CM’s office.
Germany will provide a grant of up to € 6.5 million (approximately INR 50.76 cr.) for the period from 2019 to 2026 to safeguard biodiversity conservation in selected Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) and improve the living conditions and income of the local population in peripheral areas of protective forests. The project covers 12 CCAs, around 70 villages and six districts, including Wokha, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Kohima, Peren and Phek.
Dr. Wieck met with the CM and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy for an exchange on the situation and prospects in Nagaland as one of the seven-sister states of Northeast during his visit.
The German team advised “those responsible in the Northeast Region to maintain and improve the living conditions of the population despite climate change, to prevent rural exodus and to create prospects for indigenous population groups,” read the statement, adding that “the northeastern region and the Himalayas are particularly affected by climate change.”
Germany is a global partner of GoI for implementation of the agreed climate targets of Paris and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
