Officials pose for a photo during the launch of the Wildlife Helpline in wokha on September 10. (DIPR Photo)
Wokha, September 10 (MExN): The District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) held its September 2026 meeting at the DC’s Conference Hall on September 10, under the chairmanship of Advisor and DPDB Chairman Mhathung Yanthan, with Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman K. Mhathung Tsanglao co-chairing the proceedings.
The session opened with Social Welfare Department Secretary Limawapang Jamir (IAS) delivering a detailed awareness address on the upcoming Reform Utsav, seeking active interventions and support from all line departments, tribal bodies—including the Lotha Hoho and Women Hoho (Eloe)—and councillors.
A comprehensive presentation by the department's Joint Secretary outlined the objectives, aims, and directives of the initiative, which is scheduled to run from October to December 2026. As a nationwide program by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Reform Utsav is designed to strengthen social welfare delivery, promote inclusivity, and ensure effective outreach to marginalized communities through department convergence, grassroots participation, and awareness campaigns. The Deputy Commissioner assured full district-wide cooperation, while the Secretary invited elected members to contribute policy suggestions.
During the meeting, discussions were also held on creating a District Sports Fund to support various disciplines, offer financial aid, and encourage Wokha athletes in state-level events.
A major highlight of the meeting was the launch of a toll-free wildlife helpline (1800-202-0878) by Divisional Forest Officer Suman Shivashankar. Operating as a dedicated control room network, the helpline will handle emergencies such as elephants entering villages, crop, livestock, or property damage, injured wildlife, and compensation queries.
This initiative is sponsored under the Forest & Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project by the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.
Additional presentations were delivered by the Land Resources Department on ongoing schemes, and by Mount Tiyi College Wokha, where the Principal detailed the institution's history, academic programs, enrollment, performance records, and a proposal to introduce an undergraduate Science stream.
Furthermore, DAPCU District Programme Officer Lichumo Odyuo presented the current status of HIV/AIDS and infection rates in the district.
Concluding the meeting as part of an institutional visit, the DPDB Chairman and members toured Fernbrook School Wokha to interact with faculty and students and review the institution's progress and challenges.
