UNESCO undertakes project to conserve State biodiversity

  Dimapur, Jan. 28: Dr. Ram Boojh, Programme Officer for Natural Sciences & Secretary, SACAM (South & Central Asia MAB Network) UNESCO, and ML Rao, Advisor UNESCO, on January 24 apprised the chief minister TR Zeliang on the progress of UNESCO initiatives being undertaken in Nagaland and also requested the support of the State government. The officials called on the chief minister during their 4-day visit to Nagaland from January 22-25. It may be mentioned here that pre-feasibility studies had been undertaken in 2016 for designating Dzukou Valley and Doyang Valley as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. The feasibility report submitted to UNESCO also included Saramati Range to be taken up at a later stage. These areas have been identified taking into consideration the uniqueness, rich biodiversity and also initiatives shown by the community in conserving biodiversity, which can be a model for the rest of India and the world. The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change undertook this initiative in collaboration with UNESCO, recognising the role of the communities in conserving biodiversity in Nagaland bearing in mind that many such areas in Nagaland are owned by the communities. The next stage is to prepare a dossier with concrete plans in collaboration with Government of Nagaland, Government of India and UNESCO. Besides bringing recognition and strengthening the conservation efforts in Nagaland, the objective is to link conservation with sustainable development of the local communities. Forest minister Dr. Nicky Kire, NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, other senior officers of Forest Department and the CMO were present at the meeting.