Kohima: As part of his first official visit to Nagaland, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Ashwini Kumar Choubey arrived at Piphema Old Village under Dimapur district on Monday.
According to an official report, MoS Choubey visited a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assisted, Nagaland Forest Management Project site in Piphema Old village, wherein he expressed his admiration to the people, the landscape and also the huge forest coverage in the State.
He mentioned that in spite of the land belonging to the community, the Government projects through Nagaland Forest Management Project (JICA), the percentage of the forest is increasing and improving which is an exemplary challenge to other parts of the country. He stated that to improve and increase our rich biodiversity we will have to protect and save our forests. We are responsible for our forestry and hence the protector of the forest, therefore, the forest should be conserved at utmost priority.
Plant trees and Save trees’ was the word sent from the good office of the Prime Minister to the people and added that he was happy to address the Nagas with this message to urge and motivate the people to plant more and more trees. Planting trees be it traditional or medicinal, will ultimately benefit the land, for a better climate, for pollution Free State and better land to live in.
From the departmental point of view, Choubey also said that the Government is willing to help the department and the state to improve the forest area and assured to also improve the status of the forest personnel’s and add more facilities for the departments.
Choubey said it is the Central Government’s prerogative that development should reach the North East states. He also emphasized the importance of saving trees and protecting the environment, which he said will be a boon to farmers and the environment as a whole.
As proposed by the State Government Rs. 20 crores have been sanctioned for rehabilitation and discouraging of Jhum cultivation in the state. He also mentioned that Kohima and Dimapur have been selected under the Nagar Van Scheme which enforces people’s participation and collaboration between the Forest department, Municipal bodies, NGOs, Corporate and local citizens on promotion and development of a cleaner and greener environment.
Divisional Forest Officer of Dimapur Beizo Suokhrie highlighted the management of the Forest under the village and mentioned the village has been identified as one of the Nagaland Forest Management Project (JICA) Village and on 11th February 2020, the Piphema Old Village Council signed a resolution with the NFMP and thus Piphema Old JFMC was included into the NFMP (JICA). He said the Central Government is concerned about the North Eastern States on all fronts and consider it as one of the most important parts of India. The Centre is focusing on the North East States since the situation has improved to a great extent and there is a possibility for all-round development in the region, the report said.
