Dimapur, July 30 (EMN): The third regional series of Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum (EHNF) 2021 – a unique assemblage on biodiversity — is scheduled at Sukhai village in Zunheboto district on August 1 on the theme ‘Understanding the socio-economic conservation models for biodiversity preservation in community conserved areas (CCA).”
The Nagaland Regional Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum this year is being formulated by Balipara Foundation in association with the Tata Steels Foundation and partnering with the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) and The Energy and Resources Institute of India (TERI), an update from Balipara Foundation informed.
Initiating the conversations at the grassroots with focus on Naturenomics principles, the Regional Nagaland Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum, envisions bringing together 35 indigenous community members – community representatives, agricultural experts, policy makers, local entrepreneurs, conservationists, SHG groups, farmers, panchayat members from Zunheboto district and across Nagaland, it stated.
It added that the Nagaland regional EHNF is designed to witness insightful deliberations in context to indigenous people, forest management and traditional practices from eminent panel of speakers namely Supongnukshi, conservator of forest and members secretary of Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB); Pikato V Jimo, general secretary of Sukhai CCA; Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaursia, head and senior scientist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Nagaland; Heirang Lungalang, chairman of Nagaland Community Conservation Areas Forum (NCCAF); and Rokongulie Meyase, professional bird guide and tour operator from Khonoma CCA.
It added that the grassroots colloquium is strategically designed and orchestrated to focus and explore indigenous perspectives on rural futures context like biodiversity conservation, community led habitat restoration, harmonical co-existence with nature, grassroots climate action, resilient livelihood through sustainable agricultural practices, traditional handloom and handicrafts. It would also try to delve into interesting case studies of the fringe communities in context to indigenous forest conservation, governance and management through Naga traditional customary laws and practices.
Balipara Foundation further envisioned to work closely with the indigenous communities of Nagaland through the its flagship project ‘Rural Futures and Naturenomics™’ to ensure a sustainable future for the state and celebrate the indigenous conservationists as the custodians of the natural landscapes – protecting and preserving their lands. The future initiatives that Balipara Foundation looks forwards to incorporate and implement are – community based natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, documentation of traditional knowledge, and enhancing livelihoods.
The forum believed that coordinated actions with the community leaders could help bring ecology back to economy and also take action for creating sustainable and resilient future through cooperative leadership.
Balipara Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Assam. Established in 2007, Balipara Foundation focuses on community development and conservation of natural resources in the region through the concepts of Naturenomics™ and Rural Futures.
The Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum was launched in 2013 to find solutions leading to important lessons for the communities and others at all levels from local to global.
