German-aided project on biodiversity in Nagaland

Kohima, May 2, 2019:

An official delegation from the Federal Republic of Germany headed by the Chargé d’affaires Dr. Jasper Wieck made a two-day visit Nagaland (29-30 April).

According to a press release by the Chief Minister’s Office, the delegation included amongst others the German Consul General in Calcutta, Michael Feiner, as well as representatives of KfW Development Bank and the German Organisation for International Cooperation (GIZ). Germany is a global partner of the Indian Government, particularly with regard to the implementation of the agreed climate targets of Paris and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

India is the largest recipient of public development funding from Germany. Germany sees India as indispensable for achieving international development and environmental goals.

In addition to the development of renewable energy, support for the implementation of the National Indian Action Plan on Climate Change is at the core of bilateral cooperation in the Northeast region.

As part of the Indo-German environmental program, German experts deliberately advise those responsible in the Northeast Region to maintain and improve the living conditions of the population despite climate change, to prevent rural exodus and to create prospects for indigenous population groups. The northeastern region and the Himalayas are particularly affected by climate change.

On his trip, Dr. Wieck met with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy for an exchange about the situation and prospects in Nagaland as one of the so-called "Seven Sisters".

Special attention was paid to the official launch of the forestry and biodiversity management project between India and Germany in the Himalayan Region component Nagaland. KfW development bank is responsible for its implementation. Indian project partners are the Nagaland State Biodiversity Board (NSBB) and the Nagaland Forest Department as well as the Nagaland Environment Protection and Economic Development Agency (NEPED).

Germany will provide a grant of up to 6.5 million euros for the period from 2019 to 2026 to safeguard biodiversity conservation in selected Community Conserved Areas (CCAs), while at the same time improving the living conditions and income of the local population in peripheral areas of protective forests.

The project covers 12 CCAs, around 70 villages and 6 districts in Nagaland (including Wokha, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Kohima, Peren and Phek). German development cooperation draws on experience from more than 60 years of successful cooperation and fits into the national and international support for the achievement of Indian climate contributions.

This project was launched yesterday, the 30th of April 2019, by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio vide Election Commission of India approval letter NO 437/NL/2019 (MCC) – NES – 1 dated 20th April, 2019.