Well deserved awards

 It was a proud moment when two conservationist groups from Nagaland won prestigious awards from different organisations this year. The awards should certainly serve to inspire people and also should make the state government seriously ponder about the ‘doers’ in society. Conservationist Nuklu Phom with his team, Lemsachenlok Society, was one of the six Whitley Award winners, 2021. The Whitley Awards from the Global South by UK-based charity the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) are considered as the Green Oscar awards. Nuklu Phom who engaged with communities with his team at Lemsachenlok Society in Nagaland was earlier awarded with the India Biodiversity Award 2018. The other group from Nagaland Khonoma Nature Conservation & Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) won the prestigious India Biodiversity Awards 2021 under the category “Sustainable Use of Biological Resources.” There are eight categories under India Biodiversity Awards. The Lemsachenlok (A Thinking, working, Planning, Fund raising Society) organization, was formed by churchman-turned bio-diversity conservationist- Nuklo Phom. After several years of deliberations and at times, frustrating efforts, Nuklo finally got together three villages in Longleng district- Yaongyimchen, Alayong and Sanglu to form Yaongyimchen Community Biodiversity Conserved Area(YCBCA). The YCBCA formed Lemsachenlok in 2007 and took up the issue of bio-diversity conservation. Nuklu had a very difficult time trying to convince the villagers to be participants for sustainable development through harmonious coexistence with nature. Villagers exploit forest lands for agriculture, collecting and selling firewood and timber including hunting of wild animals. So it was a very difficult task to convince people to give up their livelihood. Lemsachenlok has been gradually transformed and today, the area has become a safe haven for birds and also one of the major roosting site for Amur Falcons in the state. It is a habitat for 85 species of animals such as Amur falcons, 15 species of frogs, as well as leopards, barking deer, serows and otters etc. The Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS), which was awarded for “Sustainable Use of Biological Resources, has been at the forefront of conservation in the area. KNCTS is a conservation reserve and a protected area in Kohima district. The total area notified under this park is around 25 square kilometres (9.7 sq mi); some of villages and hamlets are adjacent to this park: Khonoma, Mezoma, Dzülake. KNTCS is a non-traditional institution, established on December 11, 1998 and instrumental in organizing, monitoring, conserving and preserving the bio-diversity in Khonoma area, which is also home to many endemic and vulnerable species of flora and fauna. Khonoma area has its unique and sustainable alder-based jhum cultivation which has been practiced since time immemorial. The village has successfully been conserving its forest and sustainably using its resources for the last two decades. KNTCS is also playing a very important role in preservation of age-old stone and wood houses and its people aware and committed towards sustainable development. Today, Khonoma in particular is a jewel in the crown of Nagaland as it regarded as a ‘must-see’ natural tourism hub. Protection of flora and fauna is not only about the species but also the future of the people, their culture and their heritage. The government ,unlike in other states, does not have any legitimate right over land as they belong to the people. This aspect has contributed negatively towards conservation. The two groups are shining examples of how the initiatives of a few can impact a whole generation and making all the difference.