The Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) organised the first state-level community conserved area workshop at U Kiang Nangbah guest house in NEHU recently and was attended by 56 members including the community leaders and stewards from 21 villages under seven blocks across the State and representatives of Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum (NCCF).
During the workshop the 20 community representatives unanimously agreed for the need of a state-level conservation forum in Meghalaya which would enable better information sharing, stronger collective efforts, common guidelines, improved technical know-how and recognition and support.
The workshop provided a platform for the members of diverse communities to share their experiences, challenges and journey on the governance and management of their community forest and other natural resources, also known as Community Conserved Areas.
Secretary of the Village Project Implementation Committee of Saipung HW Fowler Darnei said people have come to realise that conserving the forest is very beneficial not only for preserving the environment but it is beneficial in all aspects”.
Secretary of the Bolbokgre CCA Committee said the community leaders will strive to strengthen the conservation of the forest and its biodiversity through improving cooperation and collaboration, improving governance practices, biodiversity documentation, conservation and protection of wild habitats and water bodies.
The decade-long journey of NCCAF was also shared by the representatives including its initiation, purpose, challenges and ways to address the challenges. Setsa, the treasurer of the forum emphasised, “Alone we cannot do anything and Meghalaya should also form a State CCA forum which is essential to help address the issues of the CCAs and drive action” signifying the need for collaborative action not just at the Village Level but at the State level as a whole.
NCCAF Vice President Tokugha Sumi shared their success story in community-led conservation through establishing of community conserved areas as a sustainable conservation model, raising awareness through capacity-building initiatives, providing a common forum for communities to voice concerns and participate in decision making among many others.
Sumi said, “We cannot materialise conservation without awareness, knowledge and understanding of CCA. The thought of doing conservation for financial gain will lead to failure but the thought of conservation for sustainability and for future generations would ultimately lead to success. Development is only one part of civilization but conservation is part of development, civilization and life.”
