NU holds talk on community-led natural resource management

Medziphema, October 18 (MExN): The Department of Rural Development and Planning, School of Social Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, organised a Rural Talk Series on “Community-led Natural Resource Management” on October 15, focusing on community participation in forest governance, environmental sustainability and the protection of indigenous rights.The programme brought together academicians, researchers, faculty members and students to discuss the role of traditional institutions and community-based approaches in managing natural resources, particularly in Scheduled Areas and the Northeast.Dr. Deepa Thangjam, Assistant Professor in the department, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the relevance of community-led approaches to rural development in Nagaland and the wider Northeast. She noted that in Nagaland, “where communities have strong traditional institutions and a close relationship with their natural surroundings, managing and governing these resources is particularly significant.”Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, Professor and Head of the department, delivered the introductory remarks, highlighting the importance of community-led initiatives in natural resource management and the role of indigenous practices in Nagaland.The first session was led by Dr. Geetanjoy Sahu, Professor and Dean, School of Habitat Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, who spoke on “Forest Resource Governance in the Scheduled Areas.”He traced the evolution of forest governance from the pre-colonial period to post-independence India and the present day. The session examined the relationship between national forest policies, customary laws and traditional land ownership systems in the Northeast.The discussion also covered the National Forest Policy, 1988, and Article 371A of the Constitution, which provides constitutional protection to Nagaland's religious and social practices, customary law and procedure, and ownership and transfer of land and its resources, subject to its provisions.Dr. Sahu also discussed the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, focusing on its interaction with customary practices and community-based forest governance. He stressed the need to understand the region's distinct socio-cultural context while addressing forest rights and safeguarding the traditional rights and practices of indigenous communities.The second session was delivered by Dr. Abhinandan Saikia, Assistant Professor, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, TISS, Guwahati, Assam, on “Environment Governance: Role of Community.” His presentation explored community participation in environmental governance, collective action and sustainable resource management. He discussed the implications of climate change, resource conservation, women's participation and the role of communities in environmental decision-making.Dr. Saikia also highlighted the transdisciplinary nature of climate change studies and the importance of Environmental Impact Assessment. Discussing jhum cultivation, he said it should be understood as more than an agricultural practice, given its wider socio-economic and ecological dimensions and its significance in the lives of communities that practise it.The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students and faculty members raised questions, shared views and sought clarifications on various aspects of community participation and natural resource governance.Dr. Merensangla Longkumer, Assistant Professor in the Department of Rural Development and Planning, delivered the vote of thanks.