The Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) has been honored with the prestigious SKOCH Award 2024 for its contributions to improving forest ecosystems and supporting income generation in Nagaland. The award was presented during the 100th SKOCH Summit at Silver Oak Hall, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
Ango Konyak, Deputy Project Director of NFMP and Divisional Forest Officer (HQ), along with Wennyei Konyak, Resident Commissioner of Nagaland House, New Delhi, received the award on behalf of the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (DEFCC), Government of Nagaland.
Implemented by DEFCC with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the NFMP focuses on rehabilitating jhum areas, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and enhancing forest and environmental conservation. The project operates through village-specific interventions led by Joint Forest Management Committees.
Spanning from 2017 to 2027, NFMP covers 185 villages across 11 districts and 22 forest ranges in Nagaland. It includes forest interventions over 79,096 hectares and aims to establish 555 self-help groups under its livelihood component.
“The SKOCH Award is one of India’s highest independent honors, recognizing outstanding contributions by states and organizations. It is known for its rigorous, outcome-based assessment process. SKOCH Group, the award organizer, is a leading Indian think tank specializing in socio-economic issues with a focus on inclusive growth since 1997. It has instituted India’s highest independent civilian honors in governance, technology, economics, and the social sector,” a DIPR report stated.
The award was supported by CEO’s Association for Inclusive India (CAII) a voluntary association for CEO’s working for inclusive growth of India through social, digital and financial inclusion initiatives.