According to reports, Nagaland has witnessed around a 10% decline in its forest cover over the last 10 to 15 years. (Morung File Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 23
Nagaland has witnessed around a 10% decline in its forest cover over the last 10 to 15 years, a senior forest official said, citing that the loss as unprecedented and cautioned that it also means a loss of flora and fauna species.
Supongnukshi, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), in the office of the PCCF and HoFF, Nagaland, said the state has been witnessing a series of degradation and deforestation over the past 10-15 years, with the forest cover shrinking by around 10%.
“If the forests cover is losing, that means definitely we have a loss in certain number of population as well as species, also in terms of flora and fauna,” he said.
He noted that many academic institutions and scholars have been studying the issue, and stressed that Nagaland’s situation is unique because many species are yet to be discovered. “Without discovering those species, which perhaps would have been very, very important for survival of humankind, we never know. But without discovering those species, we are just losing it without knowing that we have those,” he said.
Highlighting the state’s unique ownership structure, Supongnukshi said absolute ownership of forests lies with the community and individuals, who have been given absolute ownership status. "Ours is a unique situation... a place where we own almost everything," he said, adding that the people have long depended on the forest, its resources and biodiversity.
He, however, said changing times and situations demand a relook at how these resources are being utilised, especially with rising population and increasing dependency on forests.
Stating that 60 to 70% of Nagaland’s population depends on forests and their resources for livelihood, he underlined the need to assess what the state has and what is being done with it. “In such a scenario, it will be for the good of our state and our people only if we are able to have a look at the status of what we have, the strategy, the conservation policies that we are framing,” he said.
Supongnukshi also said Nagaland is one of the first states to have initiated revising and updating its biodiversity action plan, in pursuance of a directive from the Ministry and the National Biodiversity Authority.
