The Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) is located in Zunheboto district of Nagaland, India. It is surrounded by blue mountains and dense forests intermingled with golden-hued jhum farm patches. The Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network is situated on the banks of the Tizu River, one of the main river systems in Nagaland, which flows through the landscape.
The Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network is a joint initiative of three villages—Sukhai, Ghukhuyi, and Kivikhu. The area comprises subtropical wet hill forests that primarily overlap with subtropical pine forests. These forests represent a wide range of fauna and serve as an important green corridor between the rich biodiversity of the Satoi Range and other biodiversity-rich areas. They harbor endangered and threatened species such as Blyth’s Tragopan (Tragopan blythii), Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), and Wild Dogs (Cuon alpinus).
The forest is also the origin of feeder streams—Kutu, Yayi, Loyi, Sumukhu, and Lipu—which feed into the Tizu River. The river itself is home to many native aquatic species.
The Tizu River and its surrounding forests have faced significant strain due to deforestation, uncontrolled fishing and hunting, soil erosion, and overexploitation of fish and wildlife. In 2014, the Sukhai Village Council passed a resolution declaring 789 hectares of forest as a Community Conservation Area (CCA), banning hunting, tree felling, and destructive fishing practices in the Tizu River.
Subsequently, to ensure the conservation of a large contiguous forest area, the neighboring villages of Kivikhu and Ghukhuyi joined the initiative. They declared 604 hectares and 370 hectares of forest land respectively as CCAs, forming a joint Community Conservation Area (CCA) Network.
WILDLIFE WATCH:
An avian survey revealed the presence of more than 200 species of birds, including rare and threatened species such as the Naga Wren Babbler, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Rufous-throated Partridge, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Coral-bellied Babbler, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, and White-crested Laughingthrush.
The subtropical forest supports several threatened species such as the Chinese Pangolin, Slow Loris, Wild Dog, Fishing Cat, Yellow-throated Ferret Badger, and the Coral Giant Flying Squirrel.
Additionally, the forests of the Tizu Valley are blessed with spectacular butterfly diversity. More than 222 species of butterflies have been recorded in the area, including rare species such as the Naga Emperor, Rufous Silverline, Naga Sapphire, Great Nawab, Wizard, Five-bar Swordtail, and Bhutan Glory.
Among the reptiles recorded in this area are the Burmese Python, Red-necked Keelback, Mandarin Trinket Snake, King Cobra, Pop’s Pit Viper, and many other notable species.
This news article is republished with permission from TVBCLN.
For further details, contact:
Ivan Zhimo – +91 89748 60809
Kakishe S. Muri – +91 98621 44399
Bokato Muru – +91 98626 87113