Nagaland initiates revision of state biodiversity strategy

The Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) has initiated a stakeholder consultation workshop in Kohima to revise the Nagaland State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NSBSAP). This revision aims to align state-level conservation efforts with India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

During the workshop, Y Kikheto Sema, Principal Secretary of the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, emphasized the need for a community-driven approach that respects the state’s unique ecological and agricultural systems. He noted that Nagaland maintains a high forest cover of approximately 73 percent, significantly higher than the national average.

Sema specifically addressed the importance of traditional jhum, or shifting cultivation, noting its deep connection to Naga culture and festivals. While acknowledging that the practice cannot be stopped due to its cultural significance, he highlighted concerns regarding its declining economic viability and ecological sustainability, calling for increased research to improve the system's long-term viability.