Workshop on protection aquatic resources held in Kohima

DIMAPUR — A state-level workshop on protection and sustainable management of aquatic resources was held on November 20 at the Kohima Science College conference hall.

The workshop, organised by the Indo German Bilateral Cooperation ‘Protection and Sustainable Management of Aquatic Resources’ in the Northeastern Himalayan Region of India (NERAQ) with Kohima Science College was the second workshop held in the state to bring the importance of traditional knowledge for climate resilient aquatic ecosystems management into sharp focus.

Dr. Temjenwabang Longkumer, principal of KSCJ, delivered the welcome address, highlighting Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ’s 60 years of work in India, which began in 1971 and its notable achievements, including the National Health Scheme, Indo-German Environmental Forum, Clean India Project, Skill India Project and many more.

Patricia Dorn, project director of NERAQ, exclaimed that the expectation of the workshop was great, particularly in developing eco-tourism and conserving aquatic resources.

“We have worked with ZSI (Zoological Survey of India) and received big learning from them. We have also received help from Nagaland University,” she said.

A separate team under NERAQ, funded by FES, was working on national level biodiversity actions and strategies for Nagaland, with an expected international office at Kohima Science College, which would not only be an opportunity for the college but the Nagaland as a whole.

She also stressed on the integration of various development in aqua-tourism in regions like the element project to add on freshwater aspects like the capacity development projects in Meluri, and to bring them together.

The workshop was aimed at developing eco-tourism and a multidisciplinary course such as Botany, Zoology and Anthropology with a focus on traditional knowledge.

The technical session featured Dr. Limatemjen, assistant professor of KSCJ from the department of Zoology, who has been working closely with the ZSI for the third time. He discussed the ZSI’s discovery of four fish species including the new species of glyptosternine catfish, Exostoma sentiyonoae, discovered by Dr Limatemjen, in the Dzuleke River in Nagaland.

He discussed on the snow trout fish, which is susceptible to temperature changes and can be used as an indicator of climate change.

The session also highlighted the potential of Pitika fish culture in Poilwa village, which has water throughout the year. He stressed on the potential of the village in the practice of pisciculture for two important fish species- the chocolate mahseer and snow trout.

The virtual session on the topic “IUCN assessment of aquatic resources” was presented by Dr. Shaikhom, the IUCN Assessor.

The workshop included interactive sessions, physical presentations and group discussions. Four groups were formed to discuss conservation, research and assessment, capacity development, and livelihood interventions.

The groups identified key stakeholders including local communities, educational institutions, government agencies and international organisations towards the uplift of the organisation and its benefits for the people.

The concluding remarks were delivered by Supongnukshi, chief conservator of forest and state nodal officer of NERAQ. He emphasised the importance of full-fledged programme initiation and implementation of various projects under the initiative.

The next workshop is scheduled on November 26 in Guwahati, where four states namely Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland under the Indo-German project on Protection and Sustainable Management of Aquatic Resources in NERAQ would come together to discuss further progresses at the regional level.