Kohima: W Chingang Konyak, the Advisor for Geology and Mining, wants to overhaul Nagaland's resource strategy. He spoke at the 46th State Geological Programming Board conclave in Dimapur on August 7. He warned that the state must move beyond simple raw extraction. Scientific exploration will drive future investment. He told the assembly, "Our objective should not be extraction for its own sake. Our objective must be responsible development— development that creates wealth without destroying our environment and without weakening community rights."
Konyak demands that the Department of Geology and Mining, the Geological Survey of India, and national institutions collaborate to stop overlapping work. He wants time-bound goals. Local mineral processing is the key to creating jobs and keeping wealth within the state borders. Every initiative must follow Article 371A safeguards to ensure public trust remains intact.
Commissioner and Secretary John Kevi Angami addressed the department's internal direction. He told senior staff to delegate tasks to younger officers to build technical capacity. The department has a massive reach compared to other states. Angami warned that landslides present a constant threat. The state now requires more focus on geotechnical assessments and geo-hazard studies rather than just finding minerals. Success depends on their efforts.
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