Chang attends Forest Ministers’ Conference, apprises Nagaland’s situation

Dimapur, Aug. 17 (EMN): The minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Nagaland, CM Chang, attended the State Forest Ministers’ Conference which was held on Monday via video conference and chaired by Union minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.

An update received here informed that the virtual conference was attended by Forest Ministers of various states and Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Goa. Javadekar highlighted about the various new schemes initiated by the Central government including the newly announced “Project Lion” and “Project Dolphin”.

Chang told the conference that “Nagaland is one of the smallest states in the country but it has one of the highest forest cover among the states”. He expressed his happiness over the Union ministry taking up new initiatives towards conservation and development of forest resources.

“The minister also said that Nagaland has proposed to establish three Nagar Vans under Nagar Van Yojana, two under Kohima municipality and one under Tuensang township. He also suggested that School Nursery Scheme can be extended to colleges and universities also,” the statement read.

Under the 20-point programme, the minister said that the plantation targets given to the state will be achieved. Under rejuvenation of 13 major rivers, the Minister mentioned that Nagaland is a part of the Brahmaputra Rejuvenation Plan and stakeholder’s consultation has already taken place jointly by the Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat and the state’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change department, stated the press release. The minister also said that Nagaland is ready for implementation in an integrated manner.

Highlighting about the use of LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology for project preparation for soil moisture conservation, Chang said that the process is already underway in Nagaland with project site in Mon district being identified for the project, for which the department has already conveyed the details about the identified area to FSI and the ministry.

The minister also expressed happiness about the launch of National Transit Portal and assured that the department would initiate preparatory steps for transitioning to the National Transit Pass System.

It was informed that the minister was accompanied by Dharmendra Prakash, PCCF and HoFF, Nagaland; Rajkumar M, DFO Kohima; and Khelen Samom, WPO, at the four-hour long conference in New Delhi which was and 24 Forest Ministers from various states.

Addressing the meeting, Javadekar said: “Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is focused on enhancing forest quality and increasing tree cover for maximizing carbon stock.”

“We have taken many initiatives to bring out transformational changes in our policies and programmes and implement several schemes which includes massive tree plantation, promoting urban forestry through Nagar Van Scheme, Landscape based catchment treatment of 13 major rivers, LiDAR based survey of degraded forest areas for soil moisture conservation projects and launch of National Transit Portal to facilitate smooth movement of Forest produce,” the Union minister was quoted as saying by the PIB.

“These efforts are critical to meet our national and international goals under National Forest Policy, Nationally Determined Commitments and restoration of degraded forest land,’ he added.

The Union Environment Minister said that the government will launch a holistic Project Dolphin in a fortnight, for the conservation and protection of the Dolphins in the rivers and in oceans of the country. Project Dolphin will involve conservation of Dolphins and the aquatic habitat through use of modern technology especially in enumeration and anti-poaching activities, informed the update, adding that it will engage fishermen and other river/ ocean-dependent population and will strive for improving the livelihood of the local communities.

Javadekar also stated that the government is working towards the Project Lion that will involve conservation of the Asiatic Lion and its landscape in a holistic manner. The Project Lion will entail habitat development, engage modern technologies in lion management and address the issues of disease in lion and its associated species through advanced world-class research and veterinary care, the update informed, adding that it will also address human-wildlife conflict and will be inclusive involving local communities living in the vicinity of lion landscape and will also provide livelihood opportunities.

At the meeting, Javadekar stressed that states should use CAMPA funds exclusively for afforestation and plantation. “I announce that 80% of afforestation fund shall be utilised only for afforestation/plantation and the rest 20% can be used for capacity building etc. The Centre in August 2019 released INR 47,436 crore CAMPA funds for afforestation to various states. Ministry is also going to announce implementation of School Nursery Scheme shortly,” he said.

The meeting also discussed topics like Nagar Van Scheme which was announced on this World Environment Day for creation of 200 Nagar Van, on forest land; School Nursery scheme which aims at involving school students from the young age in nursery and plantation operations; and the study given to ICFRE for river rejuvenation of 13 major rivers which will promote forestry along river, increase ground water recharge and reduce erosion.

During the meeting, the states gave their status of preparedness for implementation of various programmes initiated by the ministry and also conveyed their willingness to associate with all other initiatives of government of India to promote green cover.