Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Nagaland Seeks Collective Action to Protect Its Biodiversity
Nagaland has many forests, plants and animals that need protection.
The state government says one department cannot do this work alone.
This is because the Forest Department owns less than five per cent of the state’s forest coverage.
Communities, families, schools and churches are being asked to help.
People are also being encouraged to manage waste better.
Shifting cultivation is an important part of Naga culture, but its current form can harm nature and is not financially sustainable.
Officials want to find better ways to support farmers while protecting biodiversity.
A meeting was held to help update Nagaland’s biodiversity plan.
The updated plan will follow India’s national plan and a global biodiversity framework.
Principal Secretary Y Kikheto Sema said biodiversity conservation requires communities, citizens, schools and churches because the Forest Department owns less than five per cent of Nagaland’s forest coverage.
Sema urged families, schools and churches to discuss biodiversity protection and improve waste management, including during large gatherings.
He said shifting cultivation is closely tied to Naga culture but is no longer economically viable or ecologically sustainable in its current form.
Nagaland has about 73 per cent forest cover, compared with a national average of roughly 21-22 per cent, and agriculture remains a major rural livelihood.
A stakeholder consultation was held to gather inputs for revising Nagaland’s biodiversity action plan in line with India’s updated plan and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Who
- Y Kikheto Sema, Nagaland’s Principal Secretary for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Chairman of the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board, along with other stakeholders.
- What
- Officials and stakeholders discussed revising the Nagaland State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and expanding public participation in biodiversity conservation.
- When
- The consultation was held on September 23, on a Wednesday; the report does not specify the year.
- Where
- Kohima, Nagaland.
- Why
- The state is aligning its biodiversity strategy with India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while addressing conservation and waste-management challenges.
Cultural and Livelihood Considerations
Conservation and Sustainability Concerns
Shifting cultivation
Cultural and Livelihood Considerations
Officials said shifting cultivation is a unique traditional system linked to Naga culture and festivals and cannot simply be stopped because agriculture is a major livelihood.
Conservation and Sustainability Concerns
Officials said the practice in its present form is no longer economically viable or ecologically sustainable and is affecting biodiversity.
Responsibility for conservation
Cultural and Livelihood Considerations
The Forest Department cannot achieve biodiversity conservation alone because it owns less than five per cent of the state’s forest coverage; communities and other institutions must participate.
Conservation and Sustainability Concerns
The government is seeking stronger public awareness, education and waste-management action so that citizens, families, schools and churches also accept responsibility for environmental protection.
- Forest ownership
- The Forest Department owns less than five per cent of Nagaland’s total forest coverage.
- Nagaland forest cover
- About 73 per cent of the state is covered by forests.
- National forest-cover comparison
- The national average was cited as approximately 21-22 per cent.
- Rural economy
- Around 70 per cent of Nagaland’s population lives in rural areas and is engaged in agriculture and allied activities.
- Traditional farming
- Shifting cultivation is closely linked to Naga culture and festivals but is currently described as economically unviable and ecologically unsustainable.
- Earlier action plan
- Nagaland prepared its first State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in 2005 and revised and formally launched it in May 2022.
- Consultation partners
- The Nagaland State Biodiversity Board organised the consultation with The Nature Conservancy Centre and the Foundation for Ecological Security.