Nagaland has remarkable flora and faunal diversity, attributed to the wide range in climatic conditions, elevation gradients and vegetation types that are characteristic of the state. The narrow valleys formed by many streams, the varying climate and the rich forest cover in the state provide a diversity of habitats, supporting rich biodiversity with high degree of endemism.  This vast and rich forest resource base provides livelihood to a significant number of the state’s population.

According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, forest cover of Nagaland is 12,551 sq. km. i.e 73.9 % of total geographical area. However, more than 90% of these areas are owned by the communities, guaranteed through Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution. Land and its resources, including water and biodiversity, are controlled by individuals, family, clans, or communities under this traditional system.

Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) in Nagaland

The traditional conservation practices by various Naga communities, also known as Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) has a high potential for biodiversity conservation, since most of these areas contain high biodiversity and dense forest cover. A study by The Energy Research Institute (TERI) commissioned by DEFCC (Nagaland) in 2013 found that 407 or about one-third of Nagaland’s villages have constituted CCAs.

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Despite the impressive conservation measures, CCAs face numerous challenges in terms of institutional, financial, effective management and sustainability. Most of these CCAs are isolated forest fragments (average size is 500 ha). Only a minority (8%) of CCAs are managed by two or more villages. Constitution of the joint CCA Committee clearly defines roles and responsibilities of the members, committee and village councils.

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The Forest & Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya (Nagaland) Project, funded by KfW aims to ensure that these CCAs are effectively and sustainably managed by the communities themselves, in selected landscapes in Nagaland.