Y Kikheto Sema, Principal Secretary for Environment, Forests & Climate Change. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 23
Biodiversity and waste management should be discussed within families and included in school curricula, Nagaland Principal Secretary for Environment, Forests & Climate Change Y Kikheto Sema said on Wednesday.
Addressing a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop for revision of the Nagaland State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (SBSAP) here, Sema said the issue, which is also part of the Sustainable Development Goals, needs to create awareness involving everyone.
“It is not the government's responsibility alone; it is a citizen's responsibility,” he said.
The workshop was organised by the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) in association with TNCC and FES at Japfu Hotel, Kohima.
Sema appealed to churches to include the matter in pulpit preaching and Sunday service teachings, and thanked the Nagaland Baptist Church Council for its proactive role in biodiversity conservation.
To protect and promote the state's biodiversity, he said efforts should begin with four C's — Cooperation, Coordination, Confidence and Contribution by all.
Noting that Nagaland's shifting cultivation is unique, he said the agricultural system is unfortunately not included in the curriculum of any university in India.
He said 70% of the state's population lives in rural areas and is engaged in agro and allied activities, with limited scope for large and medium-scale industries.
“We are favoured with all agro-climatic zones. Nagaland is one of the few states in the country where one can grow from dragon fruit to kiwi,” he said.
On forest cover, Sema said Nagaland is among the highest in the country at around 73 per cent, against the national average of 21-22%, and maintained that the state is doing well on Sustainable Development Goals and targets.
Stressing that Nagaland does not have huge resources like other states, he said its rich biodiversity should be used to encourage people to visit and enjoy the increased ecological services.
On the SBSAP, he said it is a commitment and a “burning desire” of the state government to align Nagaland's actions towards biodiversity conservation with the global order, and stressed the need to develop a shared vision and actionable strategy by building on integrated biodiversity.
