The “Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalayas, Nagaland” Project (FBMP), co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW (German Development Bank), is being implemented under the Mokokchung Forest Division. It covers the Batch-2 villages, including Unger, Akhoya, Nukshiyim, and Changtongya Old village.
The objectives of this project include promoting the sustainable and effective management of forests and biodiversity in Nagaland, supporting improved connectivity and conservation of biodiversity, creating and enhancing livelihood opportunities for dependent communities, and establishing incentive mechanisms to reward communities for effectively protecting and maintaining their Community Conserved Areas.
A one-day exposure trip to L6 (Biodiversity Conservation Landscape) villages was conducted on 30th January 2025, organized by the Forest and Biodiversity Management Project (FBMP), Mokokchung.
During the trip, 45 participants, including members of the CCA committee and SHGs from the Batch-2 villages (Akhoya, Unger, Changtongya Old, and Nukshiyim), took part. The team was led by Lipokinla Pongen (FcOM), accompanied by Talimeren Ao (Convergence Expert, DMU) and Imemakok (Forester-1).
The group visited the State Agriculture Research Station (SARS). Before proceeding to the field, a brief session was held at the SARS conference hall, where Longham Phom, Agriculture Officer at SARS, and Yisemyong welcomed all participants on behalf of SARS. They highlighted the various activities undertaken by the department and provided a short theoretical overview of vermicomposting. Talimeren Ao expressed appreciation on behalf of the FBMP team.
Following the session, the team moved on to the field inspections, where they observed the cultivation of various crops, including millets, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and Azolla — a water-based aquatic fern that can be used as livestock feed, biofertilizer, and mosquito repellent. The participants also gained practical experience with vermicomposting. They observed various paddy cultivation plots, orchard cultivation, coffee cultivation, composting of manure, charcoal preparation pits, and other techniques implemented by the department to promote crop growth and development.
After the field inspections, the team visited Merakum Tzuin (Nagar Van) at Yimchalu, located 3 km from Mokokchung Town. This site, once an abandoned jhum area, has now been transformed into an urban nature park for recreation, nature education, and other environment-friendly activities.
During the visit, Shreyansee Jain, IAS (P), Assistant Commissioner of Mokokchung, and Dr Sentitula Pongen, IFS, DFO of Mokokchung Forest Division, interacted with the project villagers. They discussed forest conservation initiatives and engaged in conversations about the villagers’ needs and the ongoing conservation activities within the village. The visit concluded with a shared lunch.
The one-day exposure trip under the Forest and Biodiversity Management Project (FBMP) provided valuable insights and hands-on experience to the participants. Through visits to various agricultural and conservation sites, the group gained practical knowledge on modern farming techniques, crop cultivation, vermicomposting, and community efforts in conservation.
The trip not only enhanced their understanding of the activities carried out by the department but also encouraged them to implement these methods in their own communities for improved agricultural productivity and biodiversity conservation.