The Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) in Zunheboto district stands today as a shining example of what is possible when communities come together with commitment, vision, and long-term dedication. What began as a village-level initiative has grown into a collaborative conservation network protecting hundreds of hectares of forest and hosting rare species of flora and fauna. So, why can’t Mokokchung do the same? Perhaps the more urgent question is not whether we can, but why we haven’t.
The answer is not that we lack natural wealth or potential. Mokokchung is blessed with rich biodiversity, forest cover, and vibrant traditional knowledge systems. Numerous small-scale initiatives already exist in various villages across the district. What we lack is not resources, but resolve. It is not a matter of possibility but of will and action.
Projects like TVBCLN require far more than a village council passing a community resolution. They demand conviction, consistency, and above all, people with the courage to commit to a vision larger than themselves.
Conservation work is not for the casual or the convenient, it is a lifelong calling. It needs leaders who are willing to stay the course even when there is no applause, and a community that supports such efforts not just in word, but in sustained action.
For Mokokchung to replicate the Tizu Valley model, the first step is finding the right people – individuals who are passionate, knowledgeable, and ready to build long-term partnerships. These leaders must engage the community, generate awareness, and inspire collective ownership. It is not enough to put up signboards or hold a one-day seminar. Environmental education must become a continuous process, embedded in schools, churches, and local governance.
Secondly, community participation must go beyond passive support. Villagers must be stakeholders, decision-makers, and beneficiaries. Conservation, when done right, enhances livelihoods and reinforces cultural identity. But this only happens when communities are actively involved in shaping the vision and managing the outcome.
Equally crucial is the support of external actors like ecologists, wildlife experts, NGOs, and government agencies. Their role is to provide scientific knowledge, training, policy backing, and access to funding. Without this network of support, even the most passionate grassroots movement can falter.
The Tizu Valley initiative did not emerge overnight. It took years of trust-building, coordination among villages, and the painful but necessary enforcement of rules. Mokokchung can take inspiration from this, but it must also accept the responsibilities that come with such a vision. Conservation is not just about preserving birds or butterflies, it is about redefining our relationship with nature in ways that are sustainable, equitable, and deeply rooted in local realities.
Mokokchung has the potential. What it needs now is the will. The forests, rivers, and hills of our district are waiting – not for another report or resolution, but for people ready to act. Are there leaders among us ready to rise to that call?