Mizoram Proposes First-Ever Community Reserve to Protect and Conserve State’s Heritage

Mizoram has the highest forest cover in terms of percentage of total geographical area in India ( 84.53%) according to the 2021 ISF report.

In a groundbreaking move for Mizoram, the proposal for the state’s first-ever Community Reserve has been submitted to the State Board of Wildlife. This significant step comes from a collaboration between the Kawnpui Young Mizo Association (YMA) and the Kawnpui Village Council, and it has been accepted in principle by the Board.

Mizoram has the highest forest cover in terms of percentage of total geographical area in India ( 84.53%) according to the 2021 India State of Forest Report (ISFR) by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). This new initiative, driven by the local community, underscores the state’s ongoing commitment to preserving its natural heritage.

Kawnpui, a village located just 2.5 hours’ drive from Aizawl, is home to the proposed reserve. The area in question, Zotlang Ngaw, covers 620 hectares of forest land under the Kawnpui-I Village Council. Once an ancient settlement before 1920, it was later abandoned and shifted to the present-day Kawnpui town just 500 metres away. In the 1980s, there were attempts to convert the area into private cultivable land, prompting the Kawnpui Village Council to take action. However, it was the Kawnpui YMA and local NGOs that spearheaded conservation efforts, which included relocating 34 families from the area in 1993 to safeguard its ecological integrity.

Zotlang Ngaw is a biodiversity hotspot, home to a rich variety of wildlife, including the Himalayan black bear, sambar deer, wild boar, and a range of bird species such as the golden-headed tailor bird, peacock, and pheasant. Reptiles like the Burmese python, king cobra, and monitor lizard also inhabit the area. Moreover, the region serves as a vital catchment for several rivers Chal lui, Meidum lui, Mualzem lui, and others that supply water to the Kawnpui town.

One of the standout features of this conservation initiative is the community’s active role in preserving the environment. The local leaders have worked with the MGNREGS to implement projects such as building an entrance gate, creating footpaths, soil and moisture conservation, and installing bird boxes and ponds. The keys to the reserve’s entrance gate are entrusted to the YMA to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring that the reserve remains protected.

The Kawnpui YMA and community leaders are now calling for the area to be officially designated as a Community Reserve. This move is seen as a crucial step in strengthening conservation efforts, restoring the forest’s full vitality, and promoting a sustainable ecosystem. If approved, the reserve will help protect the area’s rich biodiversity, restore wildlife populations, and maintain a healthy natural cycle for generations to come.

This initiative highlights the power of local communities in environmental stewardship and represents a model for collaborative conservation across the region.

Also read: Mizoram Police Seize Over 8 Kgs of Heroin Worth Rs 2.41 Crore, 3 Arrested

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