Nagaland is facing a mounting ecological crisis with shrinking forests, disappearing traditional knowledge, and increasing environmental degradation — and unless urgent action is taken, the state risks not only losing its biodiversity but also its cultural identity, warned experts at a workshop on Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation held on June 21 at the Botanical Garden, Kohima.
The event, organised by the Kohima Press Club in collaboration with the Silviculture Division Kohima, brought together conservationists, forest officials, and the press fraternity as part of KPC’s 25th anniversary observance.
Bano Haralu, Project Lead, Wildlife Conservation Society–India, in her keynote address on ”Conservation Challenges in Nagaland,” told the press fraternity: “The press fraternity should also be sensitized on the changes in our environment, ecology and the ecosystem to survive in the next century.”
She emphasized that Nagaland is at a critical juncture.
“The marriage between the indigenous and traditional knowledge and science needs to be brought together and collaborated as traditional knowledge on wildlife and bio-diversity are now being lost as it is not being shared with the younger generation,” she said.
“It has now become important in the villages to have interactions and communications about climate changes to start community conservations to benefit the community not just economically but ecologically in character building of the village and its value.”
Citing data from 2002 to 2024, Haralu said Nagaland had lost 354 sq kms of humid primary forest and 2680 sq kms of tree cover, and warned of “fragmentation of forest as Community Conserved Area, where connectivity is absent in most places,” and “regularly hunting of birds and animals which is the major cause of slow regeneration of forest.”
She said the root of the problem lies deeper: “Absence of conservation awareness on ecological, indigenous and traditional knowledge about nature and its surrounding to the younger generation as these knowledge are now replacement by schools and textbooks and also communication breakdown at the community and societal level to teach the value of one’s tradition, culture and custom.”
She also highlighted Nagaland’s rising population: “Our state is in a very critical stage since Nagaland estimate population in 2026 would be 22.91 lakhs, an increase of 15.79% from 2011 census.”
Haralu called on journalists to actively promote conservation awareness by: “Increasing Community Conserved Areas and interlinking them with official demarcation by formation of collectives, support sustainable farm practices, promote youth leaders in conservation for monitoring and protection of biodiversity, establishing community infrastructure and community led eco and bio culture tourism.”
Gwasinlo Thong, Member, Indigenous People & Local Communities (IP&LC) Advisory Board, WCS–International, and Chairman of the Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Board, said the most urgent issue facing Nagaland is environmental.
He reminded the audience of the balance our ancestors once maintained with nature.
“Our ancestors have lived side by side with nature in perfect harmony… all their sowing and cultivation of land depended according to the change of seasons, arrival or departure of migratory birds or blooming of flowers etc thus maintained an ecological balance with nature.”
Thong also urged Nagas to defend Article 371A: “If it is amended or removed, our very right of existence, our culture, and our history is at stake.”
“If Article 371 was considered as a hindrance for development, it was considered foolish.”
Through a visual presentation, Thong shared the 25-year journey of Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Reserve, which became the first Biodiversity Education Centre in the state and received the Balipara Foundation Award in 2016.
Prabhat Kumar, IFS, State Silviculturist, echoed the concern over rampant deforestation and hunting in Nagaland.
“In the past hunting has been associated with tradition as they dependent on forest and wildlife for livelihood, but today it is changed scenario, as people are now hunting not just for food but to sell in the markets and showcase on social media which is dangerous.”
He stressed the role of every citizen in forest preservation: “It is the right thing for all individual to do as it is importance to save the forest for our future generations.”
Kumar called upon the media to be proactive: “They are the link between various agencies, organisations and public.”
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