In pursuance to the directive of the Cabinet, a field inspection was conducted at Lokhipahar Forest Purchased land, Jaboka Village under Tizit Sub-division of Mon district on 22nd April 2026 by a team of officials led by Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Vedpal Singh, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests; Supongnukshi, IFS Addl. PCCF (Territoral) and other Forest Officials to assess the present status of the Government Purchased Land - its boundaries, evaluate forest cover, and to examine any encroachment or management issues.
Jaboka purchased land (Lokhipahar) has an approximate area of 2138 Ha. and is forest land acquired under the Departmental initiatives since September 1977 for the purpose of conservation, protection and ecological restoration. The area forms part of the larger forest landscape of the district which is characterised by hilly terrain, tropical vegetation and rich bio-diversity.
During the visit, it was revealed that a major fertile junk of the purchased land has been encroached by the surrounding villages of Tizit with plantation activities, tea farm, betel nut and bamboos etc. for the last more than 30 years leaving only a fraction of the wasteland to the control of the Department. Kikheto directed the Divisional Forest Officer, Mon and the Range Officer, Tizit to carry out the assessment exercise with drones and other GPS mappings to ascertain the factual position. He also requested CF (Territoral) Aochuba and Addl. PCCF, Supongnukshi to coordinate with DFO Mon for immediate action.
The inadequate demarcation of boundaries has been identified as a major factor contributing to widespread encroachment. Conducting a re-survey and installing permanent boundary pillars, supported by GPS mapping of the entire area, is essential for reclaiming and safeguarding the land from further encroachment, as well as for restoring the health of the forest ecosystem. Kikheto further stated that it is imperative to develop a comprehensive management plan for effective administration of all the government-purchased lands in the State.
En route to Dimapur, the team also visited Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary, an important protected area in Nagaland known for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscape. Its strategic location along the Assam border further enhances its significance as a key conservation landscape in the region. Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 24 sq. KM and is characterized by tropical and subtropical forests. It is ecologically significant for its rich biodiversity and is particularly known for supporting a large congregation of elephants.
At the heart of Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary lies a dense hollong forest where limited sunlight filters through the canopy. These trees help stabilize the soil and support diverse life, offering a calm glimpse of the State’s conservation efforts. Kikheto appreciated the officers and staff of Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary for their dedicated protection efforts, noting that its rich biodiversity and ecological significance offer strong potential for eco-tourism. Sema added that strengthening protection measures and involving local communities will be key to ensuring its long-term sustainability.
(DIPR)
