Two-day workshop on Revision of Nagaland State Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan was organised by NSBB in association with TNCC & FES at Hotel Japfü, Kohima on 23rd September 2026, will culminate on 24th September 2026.
Principal Secretary, DEFCC, Chairman NSBB and Development Commissioner, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS in his inaugural address mentioned that to protect and promote the state’s biodiversity we should begin with four C’s; Cooperation, Coordination, Confidence, and Contribution by all.
He shared that God created everything and have given the responsibility to human race to utilize it and to take care of it. Therefore, the biodiversity, which God have created to support life and provide food should be take cared and protected. Nagaland is fortunate to have a rich biodiversity and our State being one of the highest against the national average of forest coverage, we should conserve and find a way for a sustainable solution, he added.
He said the system of agriculture in Nagaland, through shifting cultivation or slash and burn, is unique, but unfortunately the system of our agriculture is not included in any curriculum, in any university in India. 70 percent of our population lives in rural areas are engaged in agro and allied activities. There is less scope of large and medium scale industries and therefore, the only hope is agro and allied activities. We are favoured with all agro-climatic zones and perhaps this is the only few states in our country where you can grow from dragon fruit up to kiwi.
He stressed that we don't have huge resources like others, but with our rich biodiversity we should encourage our friends to come to our land and enjoy the increased ecological services. We can provide much better and increased ecological services to our guests who visit us.
Revision of state, national state biodiversity strategy and action plan is a commitment, and a burning desire of the state government, for aligning our action towards conservation of biodiversity with the global order and that our State from the Northeast should be a torchbearer.
He also appealed and requested the participants in the technical session to highlight biodiversity challenges, opportunities, and set specific priorities to guide future action for conservation of biodiversity in the state, to develop a shared vision and actionable strategy by building an integrated biodiversity.
Kikheto also stressed that the issue pertaining to biodiversity, about the waste management, solid waste and liquid waste which is also included in the Sustainable Development Goal, needs to create awareness in the minds of the people involving everyone. It is not the government responsibility alone; it is a citizen responsibility, he noted. The issue of biodiversity and waste management should be discussed in the family and it should be included in the curriculum of school education and so on so that our children should know about it. He also appealed to the church to include this issue in the curriculum of Sunday School teachings and conferences in the church as the church is such a powerful organization and institution where people listen more carefully with attention.
The consultation workshop was chaired by CCF (D&P) & Member Secretary, NSBB Sidramappa M Chalkapure, IFS and the invocation was pronounced by Evg. Menuotuolie Chielie, Koinonia Baptist Church. Short speech was delivered by Executive Director, TNCC, India Dr. Ishwar Narayanan and General Manager, FES Sanjay Sharma, APCCF (Territorial), O/o PCCF. HOFF Supongnukshi, IFS delivered the keynote address and the vote of thanks was proposed by RFO, i/c Chiephobozou Range and NSBB, Savinuo Kikhi.
(Siizo IA)
