The Nagaland Community Conserved Areas’ Forum (NCCAF) successfully observed the International Day of Forests on 21st March, 2025, at the Council Hall, Meluri Village, with a program themed “Unbroken Forests, Unbroken Future.” The event, covering Kiphire and Meluri districts, underscored the urgent need to protect and restore animal corridors to maintain ecological balance. It was organized for CCAs in the Meluri and Kiphire districts.
Kiphire and Meluri districts, known for their rich forest cover, are crucial to Nagaland’s conservation efforts. As both districts share an international border with Myanmar, they play a vital role—along with other eastern border districts—in creating diverse and continuous animal corridors that connect ecosystems across the region.
The program, chaired by Seve Ringa Vadeo, Secretary of NCCAF, commenced with an invocation by Seküsü Nyusou, Head GB, Riehoupe Village, followed by a brief overview of NCCAF’s initiatives and activities by Heirang Lungalang, Chairman of NCCAF.
The event’s theme, “Unbroken Forests, Unbroken Future,” highlights a simple yet powerful idea: if we keep our forests connected, we keep our wildlife thriving. When forests become fragmented, animals lose their natural paths to move, find food, and breed, which threatens their survival. Protecting and restoring animal corridors is crucial for maintaining a balanced ecosystem and ensuring biodiversity conservation.
A key highlight of the event was a presentation by Siechutho Katiry, Wildlife Warden, Kiphire, who emphasized the importance of forests and biodiversity conservation. His presentation covered World Biodiversity Hotspots, Nagaland’s forest cover, and relevant constitutional provisions such as Article 48(A), Article 51A(g), and Article 371A, which safeguard forests and wildlife. He also elaborated on the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, stressing legal measures against hunting and habitat destruction.
In line with the program theme, Katiry also emphasized the importance of an ‘Unbroken Commitment’ towards conservation efforts, urging communities, authorities, and individuals to take continuous, active steps to preserve Nagaland’s rich biodiversity.
The keynote address was delivered by Chenibemo Odyuo, Senior Project Manager, Foundation for Ecological Security, who discussed community-led biodiversity conservation in Nagaland.
The second session, moderated by Setsachum Sangtam, Treasurer of NCCAF, included an interactive session where stakeholders engaged in discussions on wildlife protection, legal frameworks, and conservation challenges. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Tokugha Sumi, Vice Chairman of NCCAF, followed by a mass prayer to close the program.
Through this program, NCCAF reinforced the crucial role of uninterrupted forests in preserving biodiversity, ensuring that Nagaland’s forests remain interconnected for future generations. The organization, in partnership with the Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project, will continue hosting similar awareness programs across the state throughout the year. The program concluded with renewed vigor to strive for ‘Unbroken Forests, Unbroken Future with Unbroken Commitment.’