Kohima: Nagaland University’s Department of Rural Development and Planning hosted a Rural Talk Series on October 15. The event took place at the Medziphema campus. It focused on community-led management of natural resources, forest governance, and indigenous rights. Faculty, researchers, and students gathered to discuss how traditional institutions manage local assets.
Dr. Deepa Thangjam opened the session. She noted that in Nagaland, "where communities have strong traditional institutions and a close relationship with their natural surroundings, managing and governing these resources is particularly significant." Dr. Jayanta Choudhury also spoke. He underscored why local indigenous practices matter for the region.
Dr. Geetanjoy Sahu from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, led the first session. He tracked forest governance from pre-colonial times to the current day. He analyzed the National Forest Policy of 1988 alongside Article 371A of the Constitution. Article 371A guards Nagaland's land, resources, and customary laws. Sahu also unpacked how the Forest Rights Act of 2006 interacts with local traditions.
The second session featured Dr. Abhinandan Saikia from TISS, Guwahati. He covered environmental governance, collective action, and sustainability. His talk spanned climate change, women's participation, and Environmental Impact Assessments. He argued that jhum cultivation functions as a core socioeconomic and ecological system rather than just a way to farm. Dr. Merensangla Longkumer gave the vote of thanks after a final Q&A session.
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