Amid rising ecological challenges, Nagaland Forest Minister C L John called for immediate interventions to mitigate human-elephant conflicts and deforestation. Addressing the state’s first-ever Forest Officers Conference, he underscored the critical need for robust community engagement and regulatory enforcement to safeguard Nagaland’s biodiversity.
The minister identified hunting as a predominant threat, advocating for its complete prohibition. He highlighted the detrimental effects of unrestrained tree felling, advocating for enhanced oversight and forest resource regulation. Urging collective action, he stressed that government, communities, and citizens must collaborate to ensure the preservation of the state’s natural heritage.
Principal Secretary Y Kikheto Sema heralded the conference as a landmark event, urging forest officers to balance environmental stewardship with community engagement. Key discussions at the conference centered on advanced forest management, biodiversity conservation, and the strategic utilization of CAMPA funds. The potential of agarwood cultivation was also spotlighted as a means to bolster local economies.
(With inputs from agencies.)