Nagaland Forest Management Project wins the SKOCH Award 2024 for its role in sustainable forest conservation and community development.
Nagaland’s Forest Management Project Honored with the Prestigious SKOCH Award
The Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) recently secured the prestigious SKOCH Award 2024. The award ceremony took place during the 100th SKOCH Summit on February 15, 2025, at the Silver Oak Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Ango Konyak, Deputy Project Director of NFMP, and Wennyei Konyak, Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi, accepted the award on behalf of the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (DEFCC), Government of Nagaland.
Implemented by DEFCC, the NFMP is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project’s primary goal is to enhance forest ecosystems while promoting income generation by rehabilitating jhum lands and fostering sustainable livelihoods. It is also a vital initiative for long-term environmental conservation and community development.
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The NFMP emphasizes sustainable forest management. It works directly with local communities, improving livelihoods through interventions tailored to the specific needs of villages. These interventions are led by Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), which ensure active participation of locals in conservation efforts.
The NFMP covers 185 villages across 11 districts in Nagaland. With a project timeline spanning from 2017 to 2027. It will extend its reach to 22 forest ranges, impacting a total area of 79,096 hectares. The project’s livelihood component aims to form 555 self-help groups, empowering communities through collective efforts and resource management.
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The SKOCH Award stands as one of the highest honors given to states and organizations for their contribution to governance, public policy, and development. NFMP’s recognition underscores its significant role in improving forest conservation and local economies in Nagaland.
Through the NFMP, the Government of Nagaland is setting an example for effective forest management. The project’s focus on rehabilitating degraded lands, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing the economic welfare of rural communities aligns with the state’s vision of sustainable development. This award reflects the collective effort towards a greener, more prosperous future for Nagaland.
