About the Project

Nagaland, situated on the eastern border with Myanmar is rich in forest resources within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Almost 60% of the state's population is engaged in Jhum (slash and burn) cultivation, meeting approximately 60% of food demand in the State. It is, however, reported that Jhum cycle has been reduced particularly in Eastern part of State, and the state has lowest yield per hectare from Jhum Cultivation among the North Eastern states, estimated at 702 kg. per hectare while that in other North Eastern states it is app. 1,193 kg per hectare.

There is increasing pressure on the forests for commercial exploitation to augment income of rural population due to the above reasons, resulting in degradation of the forest resources and biodiversity. According to the latest India State of Forest Report (FSI, 2015) forest cover in the state was 12,966 sq km which is more than 78% of its total geographical area, but more than half of it is in open forest category (having canopy density less than 0.40). Jhum cultivation is one of the reasons cited for the forest degradation.

The biodiversity of state is not only valuable for their intrinsic value, but also provides critical ecosystem services such as food sources, water sources, soil formation, nutrient cycling and primary production. Thus, sustainable restoration and rejuvenation of Jhum area is essential for restoration of forests and conservation of biodiversity in the state.

Nagaland Forest Management Project

NFMP, has been started during 2017-18 in the above background, with the assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency. The main objective of the Project is to improve forest ecosystem and support income generation by rehabilitation of Jhum areas and provision of livelihood support, thereby contributing to sustainable forest and environmental conservation and livelihood improvement in the target villages in the State.