The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) organized a seminar on “Environmental laws and the harmful impacts of pollution and environmental degradation” in collaboration with Nagaland State Pollution Control Board at Japfü Hotel, Kohima on 18th October 2025.
NSLSA Member Secretary, Neiko Akami, NJS while delivering the keynote address called on the need to conduct more programmes to sensitize and create awareness to the people including various Stakeholders and highlighted the importance and the needs to protect and conserve our forest environment, water resources from further destruction.
Citing environmental issues affecting us at present, he highlighted that the state have experienced heatwave, floods, soil erosion, landslides, air pollution including water shortages, and big road construction such as two and four lane roads across the State have also caused tremendous deforestation and destruction of the rich flora and fauna in the land.
"To have good road is to boast economy and comfort travelling but due to massive soil cutting our rivers are flooded with dirt, soil erosion affecting the cultivated paddy crops and other Agri-allied products. Many irrigation lands are also destroyed causing decreased of food productivity, and destruction of trees and plants. Our rivers have been exploited and had experience shortage of fishes in rivers with less rainfall. Our forests were destroyed at large due to road construction and exploitation of other natural resources in the land", he added.
In this regard, Akami called upon the gathering the need to gear up to sensitize the Government to frame policies to adopt massive tree plantations and to create mass sensitization programs. He also mentioned other ill effects of environment like shifting/jhum cultivation and burning of forest jungle.
The member secretary also stressed to sensitize any form of air Pollution, water pollution, jungle burning and exploitation of the forest and natural resources. He urged to preserve wild life sanctuary and implement the Wild Life (Protection) Act affectively in the state.
During the technical session, resource person, Sidramappa Chalkapure, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kohima Nagaland spoke on Legal Framework for Conservation of Forests, Wildlife & Environment and highlighted relevant acts and rules of the state.
Akangmeren Imchen, Scientist ‘C’, Nagaland Pollution Control Board spoke on the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 & the water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1974. Yanthung Kithan, Scientist ‘B’, Nagaland Pollution Control Board dwelled on the Air (Prevention & Control of pollution) Act 1981 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Nagali Shohe, Panel Lawyer, Kohima DLSA. The programme was attended by Panel lawyers and Para Legal Volunteers from various DLSAs.
(DIPR)
