Mokokchung records 14.88 Sq Km increase in forest cover

Supported by Japan’s JICA, Mokokchung’s reforestation drive shows strong results

Mokokchung district recorded an increase of 14.88 square kilometers in forest cover between 2021 and 2022, according to the Forest Cover 2023 (18th Cycle) report, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Mokokchung, Dr Sentitula.

The growth is attributed to conservation and development activities under the Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP), supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Speaking at the annual review meeting for FY 2024–25 under the JICA-aided NFMP, held at Whispering Winds Conference Hall on April 8, Dr Sentitula IFS, DFO Mokokchung said 46.97 sq km of open forest had been upgraded to moderately dense forest, while 31.55 sq km of scrubland had been rehabilitated.

The NFMP, launched in 2018–19 with support from JICA and implemented by the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aims to tackle forest degradation and promote sustainable livelihoods. The project currently covers 18 villages in Mokokchung district, out of 185 villages selected across Nagaland.

In Mokokchung, the project is being implemented across two ranges — Mokokchung Range and Changtongya Beat — covering:
· Batch-I: Changtongya New, Mongsenyimti, and Mopungchuket
· Batch-II: Longmisa, Sungratsu, Chakpa, Merangkong, Yaongyimsen, and Salulemang
· Batch-III: Aliba, Chungtia, Longpa, Longkong, and Kelingmen
· Batch-IV: Longkhum, Mangmetong, Satsu, and Liroyim

Plantation activities have been a key component of the project’s success, with 4,968 hectares planted by 2024 and nearly one million saplings (9.98 lakh) planted. The department aims to cover an additional 165 hectares and plant approximately 220,000 saplings in 2025.

“JICA is very happy with Mokokchung’s progress,” Dr Sentitula told MT on the sidelines of the event.

Dr Sentitula mentioned that the ten-year project is due for a mid-term review later this year and expressed hope it would be extended, allowing the district to expand activities to more villages.

Dr Sentitula explained that the NFMP addresses Nagaland’s dual challenges of forest degradation and unsustainable jhum cultivation. While the state’s overall forest cover appears stable, she cautioned that more than 50% of its forests are classified as ‘open forest,’ limiting their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

“This is why Nagaland forests can only sink 12.08 tons of CO‚ per hectare compared to the national average of 31 tons per hectare,” she said.

To achieve its goals, the NFMP focuses on three main objectives: strengthening forest conservation through community participation, enhancing household incomes by creating alternative livelihoods, and building institutional capacity through structured management units and GIS-based monitoring.

The project employs five models to restore degraded landscapes while honoring indigenous ownership — as 88.3% of Nagaland’s forests are community-held — including: — Jhum Agroforestry (JAF), Jhum Fallow Forestry (JFF), Jhum Conversion to Forestry (JCF), Jhum Conversion to Conservation Area (JCC), and Protection or Expansion of Existing Community Conservation Areas (PEC) — to restore degraded landscapes.

Community management central to success
Apart from the increase in forest cover, members of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) from different villages shared the benefits received from the project.

Each village forms a JFMC — an independent, decentralized and democratic community institution — jointly with the concerned Forest Range Officer. JFMCs are constituted under the administrative supervision of Village Councils, in line with Nagaland’s traditional community governance system.

Forest management in Nagaland follows the Joint Forest Management (JFM) model, a partnership where the government finances forest creation and technical management, while communities are fully responsible for protecting and maintaining plantations.

Acting as the on-ground executors of the NFMP’s conservation and livelihood goals, JFMCs have full autonomy in decision-making within their allocated areas.

Sharing their experiences, Purlemba, Chairperson of JFMC Changtongya, said the project enabled villagers to build a retaining wall and repair the road from Electrical Colony to the local water pond.

ALSO READ | Air pollution in Tzürangkong range a growing concern: AKM President

Arentoshi, Assistant Chairperson of JFMC Merangkong, highlighted how the project supported the establishment of a nursery and provided water sprinklers. “There were so many saplings that we even sold some to other JFMCs,” he said. He also noted the construction of a footpath in the student park and the building of rainwater harvesting structures. Additionally, forest fruits were harvested and sold, boosting community income.

Chujang from JFMC Chungtia shared that a nursery was set up at Longtsuktep Sector, Chungtia, which they have been maintaining since 2022. “Through the project, villagers learned new techniques in seed sowing, proper seeding time, and seed collection,” he said.

Aotoshi of JFMC Aliba explained how the project helped in setting up a water supply system at Tsungli Tsuba, while Aripong from JFMC Mangmetong recounted similar efforts in nursery establishment and water harvesting structures. He emphasized the importance of community participation, saying, “Without community support, the project will fail.”

Sustainability concerns raised
However, amidst the positive developments, Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung, Thsuvisie Phoji, who attended the program as the special guest, raised concerns about the sustainability of the initiative once external funding ends.

“Will the management continue to have the zeal even after the expiry of ten years? Even after the funding ceases?” Phoji questioned, while praising the efforts of the district.

The Deputy Commissioner pointed out that a true success story is when a project becomes self-sustaining. Stressing the importance of natural conservation, he reminded the gathering that “a synthetic forest or tree cannot be created,” and urged continued commitment to preserving the natural environment.

Meanwhile, speaking to MT on the sidelines of the event, Dr Sentitula highlighted the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project. She shared that three SHGs have been formed in each of the 18 project villages, making a total of 54 SHGs. These groups, she said, are critical to the ongoing management and conservation of the plantations, with plans underway to strengthen their capacity and make them self-sustaining over time.

Japan’s strategic footprint
The NFMP is backed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), part of Tokyo’s wider push to support sustainable development in India’s Northeast. Analysts say projects like this are tied to Japan’s broader strategy of deepening engagement with the region, countering China’s influence in the region, strengthening environmental resilience and building closer ties with India under the Act East Policy.

Environmental cooperation is also emerging as a key tool in Japan’s foreign policy, particularly as competition with other powers in the Indo-Pacific heats up.

Beyond conservation, Japan’s support for the NFMP fits into its climate strategy. Under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), Japan funds carbon-cutting projects overseas and shares the resulting carbon credits. Forest conservation projects like NFMP not only advances Japan’s environmental diplomacy but also help it meet targets under the Paris Agreement.

MT