National Appreciation for a Grassroots Environmental Model
Nagaland’s NFMP Secures SKOCH Award for Eco-Conservation and Rural Livelihoods: The Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) has been honoured with the SKOCH Award 2024, in recognition of its community-led forest conservation and livelihood promotion efforts. The accolade was presented at the 100th SKOCH Summit in New Delhi on February 15, 2025, where Deputy Project Director Ango Konyak and Resident Commissioner Wennyei Konyak received the award on behalf of Nagaland’s Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (DEFCC).
Long-Term Forest Revival With Local Participation
Launched in 2017, NFMP is a decade-long initiative backed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Its focus is to restore degraded forest ecosystems and support communities in transitioning away from jhum (shifting) cultivation. The project’s design promotes sustainable development by encouraging eco-friendly income generation activities within forest villages.
Statewide Impact Through Inclusive Implementation
Operating across 185 villages in 11 districts, the project spans 79,096 hectares of forest area and is executed through 22 forest ranges. A key component of NFMP is the creation of 555 self-help groups (SHGs), which support entrepreneurship, forest-based livelihoods, and micro-level conservation projects. These SHGs serve as the backbone for community engagement and economic inclusion.
Forest Restoration Combined With Rural Empowerment
NFMP is anchored in the idea of sustainable and participatory forest management. Through training, ecological planning, and economic incentives, the programme empowers rural communities to become active stakeholders in forest governance. It blends scientific forest recovery methods with grassroots economic models, helping protect biodiversity while boosting local incomes.
Why SKOCH Recognition Matters
The SKOCH Award is a prestigious national honour awarded for excellence in public administration, innovation, and inclusive development. The selection of NFMP underscores the importance of localised, community-driven, and internationally supported efforts to tackle environmental degradation and poverty. The project now serves as a replicable model for other Indian states working on sustainable forestry and rural transformation.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT: NFMP & SKOCH Award 2024
Topic | Details |
Award Received | SKOCH Award 2024 |
Award Event | 100th SKOCH Summit, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi |
Awarded Project | Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) |
Award Accepted By | Ango Konyak and Wennyei Konyak |
Implementing Department | Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Nagaland |
International Support | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) |
Project Duration | 2017–2027 |
Forest Area Covered | 79,096 hectares |
Geographic Coverage | 185 villages, 11 districts, 22 forest ranges |
Livelihood Network | 555 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) |
Key Focus Areas | Sustainable Forestry, Jhum Rehabilitation, Livelihood Generation |