Imphal: A team of officials from Deutsche Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW Development Bank) and Community-based Sustainable Forest Management for Water Resources Conservation in Manipur (COSFOM) project called on Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur and Minister-in-Charge, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Losii Dikho, at his office in the Civil Secretariat, Mantripukhri today.
During the meeting, the team briefed the Deputy Chief Minister on the progress and objectives of the COSFOM project, a development project of the Government of India (GoI) and supported by the German Development Bank, KfW under the Indo-German Program on Climate Change Adaptation. The Project is implemented by the Manipur Forest Department (MFD) and managed by the Community Forestry and Water Conservation Society-Manipur (CF&WCS-M).
Speaking at the meeting, Nina Jantos, Portfolio Manager, Natural Resources and Climate, East and Southeast Asia, KfW Development Bank, highlighted the Project’s ecological impact and progress despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict.
She outlined the Project’s key targets, which include restoring 21,800 hectares of degraded forests, strengthening upper watersheds and boosting community livelihoods. She emphasised that the project seeks to address ecological degradation while supporting forest-dependent populations. She also sought the Deputy Chief minister’s support in facilitating the smooth implementation and continuation of the Project.
Addressing the meeting, Losii Dikho acknowledged the objectives, vision and impact of the COSFOM project and recognised its contribution to ecological conservation and community development. He appreciated the efforts of the KfW Development Bank in strengthening income generating activities, community infrastructure and self-help groups. The Deputy Chief Minister further assured the team of the Government’s support and necessary assistance towards the effective implementation of the project.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Bjoern Wode, Chief Technical Advisor, GFA Consulting Group GmbH, Manipur; Saravanakumar Veerasivam, Sector Specialist-Natural Resource Management, KfW Office New Delhi; L. Joykumar Singh, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests & Project Director, COSFOM-KfW, Manipur Forest Department; Sanajaoba Khuraijam, Conservator of Forests & Chief Operating Officer, COSFOM-KfW, Manipur Forest Department; K. Hrishikesh Singh, Assistant Chief Technical Advisor, GFA Consulting Group GmbH, Manipur and Ajay Srivastava, Capacity Building & Training Officer, COSFOM-KfW.
