Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio officially launched the Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management (ELEMENT) Nagaland Project at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on 17th September 2025.
ELEMENT Nagaland Project funded by the World Bank-International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), will be implemented over five years in 225 villages across 16 districts. The Project will be implemented by the Society for Climate Resilient Agriculture in Nagaland (SoCRAN) under Agriculture Production Commissioner Cell (APC Cell).The ELEMENT project focuses on four key components, which include strengthening capacities for integrated landscape management. Under this, the focus is on building capacities for integrated landscape management to promote sustainable use of natural resources.
Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio speaking at the program said the ELEMENT project funded by World Bank is not just another edition but it represents a significant milestone in our collective commitment to restore, conserve and sustainability management of Nagaland’s unique landscape and rich forest wealth.
Rio highlighted that Nagaland covering 2.1% of country’s geographical area is playing a critical role in sustaining livelihood, preserving culture, and providing full ecological services. However, Rio said that these assets are increasingly under threat due to degrading climate change and socio-economic changes. Rio added that the due to erosion of natural resources, landslides, and shifting cultivation and climate impact climate impact has increased the vulnerability of our poor rural people. Rio further said that our forests are not just natural assets, but are deeply intertwined with the life, custom tradition of our tribal and rural communities.
Rio said that through the project women and the marginalized groups will be ensured meaningful participation in governance and enterprise development. Rio remarked that the project holistic approach is designed to address both ecological and livelihood challenges, creating a model of inclusive and sustainable development in the State.
Rio also stressed on the collaboration among the state agencies, research institutions, development partners, NGOs and local communities for successful implementation of the project and called on the State Project Steering Committee to provide strategic oversight.
Rio also invited all the stakeholders, government officials, technical experts, community leaders and partners from the world-bank to work hand-in-hand to transform our state to overcome these challenges into opportunities. He hopes that the project will restore our natural heritage and ensure peaceful harmony between people and nature for both current and future generations.
Lead Environment Specialist at the World Bank, Dinesh Aryal, delivering his speech, emphasized the importance of forest in Nagaland and stressed on the rich cultural, economic and environmental significance. He noted that the forests are under threat from climate-related and anthropogenic factors and expressed that the World Bank is committed to support the Nagaland Government’s efforts to manage forest sustainability.
Aryal put forth two important elements for the successful implementation of the project, the first one is the need for a dedicated Director to oversee the projects and the second was to initiate the budget process well in advance of the fiscal year to ensure timely release of funds. Aryal further hopes that the project will benefit communities and promote sustainable forest management in Nagaland.
Secretary & Project Director, ELEMENT, Kumar Ramnikant IAS introducing the project said the initiative comes during a time when Nagaland is facing environmental and development challenges, like declining forest cover, soil erosion, pressure on water resources, and increasing impacts of climate change. He said that communities depend heavily on forest for their livelihoods and are directly affected; making it a sensitive for the state to adopt a more integrated and longer approach to manage our landscapes.
He added that ELEMENT project is the State’s response to these realities and it has been designed to continue ecological restoration with livelihood enhancement, ensuring that communities are not only beneficiaries, but also key partners in the process. He concludes saying that ELEMENT project represents an opportunity to restore Nagaland's landscapes while improving the resilience, livelihoods, and community well-being.
Chief Secretary, Sentiyanger Imchen IAS delivering the keynote highlighted the significance of the ELEMENT project and emphasized the importance of effective implementation, timely completion, and active community involvement to ensure projects success in the state.
Earlier Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio officially launched ELEMENT Project (World Bank) and ELEMENT Project Logo during the program. Advisor, Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, host of AHODs and HODs and department officials attended the launching program.
(Esuihangle IA)
