Mokokchung forest division holds annual review meeting for JICA project villages

Mokokchung, 11 April (MTNews): A review meeting for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project villages was held on 11 April in CF Office Complex, Marepkong, Mokokchung which was attended by 14 villages with representatives from Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

In order to improve the forest ecosystem and support income generation by rehabilitation of Jhum area and provision of livelihood support, the Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The NFMP JICA Project under Mokokchung Division has been implemented in all the project villages since 2020.

Changtongya New, Mopungchuket and Mongsenyimti fall under the Batch -1 Villages, where the villages have covered plantation sites and conservation sites of 1022 ha, planting around 1,80,000 saplings.

According to a press release from the Divisional Forest Office, the villagers have been raising nursery in small quantities before coming of the project; however, with the help of the project, the Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) have been able to raise saplings in terms of thousands incorporating their traditional knowledge and technical knowledge.

Under the Batch-2, there are 6 villages comprising Sungratsu, Chakpa, Longmisa, Salulamang, Merangkong and Yaongyimsen. The total area covered under the plantation and conservation site is 2400 ha and seedlings planted are around 4, 20,000. The villagers under Batch-II have also picked the expertise of documenting flora and fauna through camera-traps.

The batch-3 Villages for the current year to be taken up are Aliba, Chungtia, Longkong, Longpa and Kelingmen.

The Mokokchung Divisional Forest Office stated that under the Batch I and II villages, 27 SHGs have been formed and various Income Generating Activities are being done by the respective groups after prior approval from the JFMCs.

During the review meeting, all JFMC presidents gave power-point presentations on their ongoing works and the SHG also presented their activities.

Success Stories of raising Khokon Nursery were shared by Sademmar, Mongsenyimti JFMC President and Bendangjungshi, Longmisa, JFMC Treasurer.

The program was chaired by Aosungla, Forester-I, while the welcome address was given by Ailong Phom, ADMU head. All the works captured through mobile app on the field at the project villages were presented by the Forest Personnel of each village through online Web GIS Portal, it was informed.

Facilitating NGOs are also working under each Divisional Management Unit (DMU) for facilitating the JFMCs and SHGs. The Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO) works as a Facilitating Non Governmental Organization (FNGO) with the Mokokchung DMU. The Team Leader of the FNGO, Akumtoshi presented on the successful implementation of various convergence programs. The Direct Aid Program from the Australian Consulate which was implemented by the Merangkong JFMCs is one example of a convergence program, the press release informed.
Vote of thanks was pronounced by Moamongba, Assistant Conservator of Forests Cum FMU Head, Changtongya.