Dimapur: Nagaland State Biodiversity Board chairman Y Kikheto Sema on Friday revealed that the state lost approximately 794.88 square kilometres of forest cover between 2013 and 2023, citing the India State of Forest Report. He made the announcement during the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 observance at St Xavier College, Jalukie, in Peren district.
Call for Community-Led Conservation
Sema, who also serves as the principal secretary of the Nagaland environment, forest and climate change department, highlighted the state's rich biodiversity. He underscored the critical role of partnerships between the government and local communities, noting that more than 95% of land and forests in Nagaland are community-owned. Referring to Article 371A, which grants the people of Nagaland control over land and natural resources through customary ownership systems, he appealed to the public to protect and conserve the state's biodiversity for future generations, rather than destroy it.
Balancing Development and Conservation
Calling for a balance between development and conservation, Sema envisioned Nagaland as a model for community-led biodiversity conservation, with strong potential in eco-tourism encompassing biodiversity, culture, and community socio-capital. However, he expressed concern over growing threats such as deforestation, pollution, forest fires, soil erosion, water scarcity, and unsustainable extraction of natural resources.
Sema stressed that global environmental protection begins with local action. He stated, "Small initiatives such as tree plantation, village-level conservation, community clean-up drives, sustainable lifestyles and responsible use of natural resources contribute significantly towards achieving global biodiversity goals."
