Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho met with KfW Development Bank officials on October 13 to restart momentum on the Community-based Sustainable Forest Management for Water Resources Conservation in Manipur (COSFOM) project. The session took place at the Civil Secretariat in Mantripukhri. Dikho holds the Forest, Environment and Climate Change portfolio.
The project is a joint venture between the Indian government and Germany. It operates under the Indo-German Programme on Climate Change Adaptation. The Manipur Forest Department handles implementation, while the Community Forestry and Water Conservation Society-Manipur manages the daily grind.
KfW Portfolio Manager Nina Jantos outlined the primary goals. The project aims to fix 21,800 hectares of degraded forest. It also targets better water management. Jantos noted that the team faces stiff headwinds. She told the Deputy Chief Minister, "She emphasised its role in addressing ecological degradation while supporting communities dependent on forest resources."
Work stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regional conflict created further delays. Despite this, Jantos requested state government help to keep the project moving. Dikho agreed. He specifically praised the focus on self-help groups, community infrastructure, and new income sources. The state government will provide the necessary assistance to finish the job.
Key personnel joined the meeting. Dr. Bjoern Wode and K. Hrishikesh Singh represented GFA Consulting Group GmbH. Saravanakumar Veerasivam attended for the KfW New Delhi office. L. Joykumar Singh, Sanajaoba Khuraijam, and Ajay Srivastava represented the COSFOM-KfW team.
Comments