Consultative workshop on CCAs underway in Kohima

DIMAPUR — A two-day consultative workshop for various community conserved areas (CCA) in Nagaland on the theme ‘Exploring other effective area-based conservation measures through an indigenous people and local communities lens in Nagaland’ got underway at Hotel Japfu in Kohima on Tuesday.

The workshop is being jointly organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nagaland State Bio-Diversity Board (NSSB) and Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum (NCCAF), an update stated.

Supongnukshi Ao, CCF (Environment, Biodiversity and Research) and member secretary of NSSB, in his welcome speech, has termed the consultation meet as an eventful occasion and acknowledged the presence of ICMOD, an organisation of international repute.

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He expressed optimism that the two-day meet would be very fruitful as the meet has participation of people who matters the most in biodiversity conservation. The CCF also expressed hope that the meet would be able to pursue goals which are tangible and implementable.

Introduction to the consultation was presented by Samuel Thomas, senior communication officer of ICIMOD, wherein he stated that that the meet would emphasise on rights and knowledge of indigenous and local people.

Exuding confidence that some noble conservation targets could be adopted during the workshop, he mentioned that Nagaland is a special place because of its rich bio-diversity.

Sunita Chaudary, eco-system specialist at ICIMOD, also presented the objectives of the consultation, which included the possibilities to declare CCA as OECMS in line with recent declarations of other such sites in India, explore community expectations in terms of government support and incentives for stewardship and discuss the plan of action.

A presentation session was also held which was moderated by Dharmendra Prakash, PCCF and HoFF, Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The session was based on the theme “Understanding CCAs and NSBB in Nagaland.”

Supongnukshi Ao gave a presentation on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures on behalf of the state Forest department, while Ivan Zhimomi, team leader of Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network, gave a brief presentation about the network. He highlighted the objectives, key activities undertaken by the CCA and impact of the CCA on the community.

Ruchinilo Kemp, secretary of Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Board, also presented the activities of the board, while an overview of the Nagaland State Bio-diversity Board was presented by Savinuo Kikhi, forest range officer, NSBB.

A group discussion session was held where participants were divided into groups and each group was given the task to give an understanding and definition of OECM and criteria for OECM from their own point of view.

On the second day, the members would focus on group works where topics such as exploring the gaps and opportunities for CCAs in Nagaland, developing a common understanding to frame standard CCA frameworks and policy guidelines in Nagaland and outcomes of CCASs and OECMs would be discussed.

Altogether, 65 persons from 16 CCAs from across the state and government agencies attended the consultative workshop on day-one.