Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Reserve

Base Camp Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Reserve

Nsonji lake, a freshwater lake below Sendenyu CCA. It is part of the conservation efforts by the community.

Sendenyu Village Council Wildlife Conservation Act 2001

Amendment to Sendenyu Village Council Wildlife Conservation Act (2001) 2005

13th Finance Commission Team visit to Sendenyu CCA

Governor's Gold Medal Award 2017 to Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Committee for outstanding service

Annual Balipara Foundation Award 2016 for excellence in community conservation efforts. In association with Call of the Wild Sanctuary Asia.

Conservation deliberation at Sendenyu Chwipen Dzon (Annual Citizens Day)

Sendenyu people rally for Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation. Community engagement is key to collective action and adherence to conservation norms.

Women are integral to conservation efforts, there regular interaction with forest and its resources makes them key stakeholders.

Bringing youths to the forefront of conservation is key in developing next generation leadership..

Village council leadership is crucial to ensure conservation norms are followed and defaulters are penalised.

Immediate support and relief of wildlife is crucial for fauna protection.

Proper conflict resolution mechanism providing equity in justice is paramount to sustain conservation efforts and cooperation in the community.

Leveraging knowledge keeper in the community helps identify and preserve local knowledge.

Soil and water conservation work inside the conservation area.

Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Reserve

Forest, Wetlands and rivers, Others → Mountain Ecosystem

2200 ha

Article 371A of Indian Constitution with special provision for the state of Nagaland & The Sendenyu Village Council Wildlife Conservation Act 2001

Kohima, Nagaland

Contributors:

Description

Country	India
Area (ha)	2200
Ecosystem Type	Forest, Wetlands and rivers, Others → Mountain Ecosystem
Number of households	745
Number of people	3742

Origin and Establishment

Origin	Revived by community initiative
Year of Formation	2001
Motivations	Self empowerment, Religious/cultural sentiments, Natural habitat and species conservation, Wild biodiversity conservation, Response to external threat

The wildlife reserve in Sendenyu village, about 1 km down the hill, was formed as a result of discussions initiated in the village council (VC) by some village members who had studied outside the state and are currently serving as government officials. These members were good hunters themselves, but decreasing wildlife populations became a grave concern for them. The village elders immediately understood their concern, as they had witnessed a very sudden decrease in wildlife populations within their lifetimes. The discussions, therefore, soon resulted in the creation of about 22 sq km of the wildlife reserve. The objective was to conserve and protect the rich wildlife heritage of the village and to maintain an ecological balance as also to check the local extinction of wild animals.

In the year 2001, the leaders and members of Sendenyu village(s) resolved to start community conservation - 'Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Reserve', as a response to a rapid decline of fauna and flora species in the region. It constituted a committee called Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Committee in order to ensure proper management of the conserved area. The total conserved area is 2200 hectares (22 sq km). The conservation efforts have received notable recognition for their pioneering work on community conservation and contribution to the community conservation movement in the region and Nagaland. Furthermore in 2018, during the Centenary celebration of the advent of 100 years of Christianity in the village, the community decided to make the lake below the community conserved area into Jubilee Memorial Park which is managed by Nsonji Management Committee. As a result of the biodiversity conservation efforts and Nsonji lake restoration the scope for rural nature-based tourism potential in the village area grew. Likewise, the North East Council (NEC) Tourism Board approved a proposal to establish an ecotourism destination centre in the village. The construction work will begin in 2018 and will be completed by 2022. The centre is built on community land governed by the Sendenyu Chwipen Union, the apex citizen membership union of Sendenyu village(s).

Governance, Management and Conservation Systems

Collective of CCAs	Yes
Decision Making Body	Women’s committee , Youth committee , Others → Council of multiple villages , Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Committee and Sendenyu Chwipen Union (Citizen's Union)
Rules and Regulations	Formal
Community activities through the year	Fire Management, Patrolling, watch and ward, Plantations and restoration activities, Soil and water conservation, Environment and Biodiversity day, Chwipen-Citizens Day, Exchange and co-learning programs with other communities and external visitors.

SENDENYU COMMUNITY BIODIVERSITY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE (SCB&WCC)

The decision-making for the community conserved area is done by SCB&WCC which consists of office bearers, advisors, executive members and executive members by portfolio. Hence, it includes all selected members and representatives of Sendenyu village(s) organisations.

OFFICE BEARERS

Chairman : Mr. Gwasnilo Thong

Vice Chairman : Mr. Shwensubu Khing

Secretary : Mr. Ruchinilo Kemp

Treasurer : Mr. Yhunthonlo Seb

ADVISORS

Mr. Jilo Bukh, Dr. S.Kemp. Mr. Ravolie Chadi Thong, Mr. Zeneitou Kent, Mr. Loshibu Kent, Mrs. Rusoneiu Kent, Mrs. Gwanile Kent, Prof. G Thomas Thong, Er. Njilo Kemp, Mr. Kedahi Chadi Seb

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

Mr. Tonga Seb, Mr Joshua, Mr. Gwanyelo Kemp, Mr. Shasinlo Kent, Mr. Hinilo Kent, Mr. Tsonthonga Kent, Mr. Kepenhyun Kent, Mr. Shahilo Semp, Mr. Zensinlo Kent, Mr. Zensinlo Seb

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS BY PORTFOLIO

President, Sendenyu Chwipen Union (apex governing body of Sendenyu citizens across four village councils )

President, Sendenyu Lojvu Youth Organisation (apex youth body)

President, Sendenyu Lojvu Student Union (apex student body)

Chairman, Sendenyu Eco Club

Village Council Chairman, Sendenyu

Village Council Chairman, New Sendenyu

Village Council Chairman, Thongsunyu (Sendenyu)

Village Council Chairman, Lotsuphen (Sendneyu)

Village Development Board (VDB) Secretary, Sendenyu

Village Development Board (VDB) Secretary, New Sendenyu

Village Development Board (VDB) Secretary, Thongsunyu (Sendenyu)

Village Development Board (VDB) Secretary, Lostuphen (Sendenyu)

Women VDB Secretary, Sendenyu

Women VDB Secretary, New Sendenyu

Women VDB Secretary, Thongsunyu (Sendenyu)

Women VDB Secretary, Lostuphen (Sendenyu)

Commander, Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Guard

COMMUNITY BIODIVERSITY & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION GUARD

Joseph Seb (Sendenyu)

Shogwalo Seb (Sendenyu)

Zensinlo Seb (New Sendenyu)

Gwaslonyu Seb (Thonsunyu)

Benyelo Kemp (Lotsuphen)

* In addition to the above members, every citizen of Sendenyu Community is a bonafide member of SCB*WCC.

Legal and Other Recognitions

Legal Status	Article 371A of Indian Constitution with special provision for the state of Nagaland & The Sendenyu Village Council Wildlife Conservation Act 2001
FRA Applicability	-
Community Forest Resource Rights (CFR)	-
Date of filing CFR claim	-
Level of CFR claim	-
Date of recognition of CFR claim	-
Management plan status	-
Land Ownership	Community Owned
Other Recognised Status	Key Biodiversity Area, Biodiversity Hotspot, IUCN Red List Species Area
Sacred Landscape	-

Impact and Learnings

Impact on Livelihoods and Subsistence	Non-timber forest produce
Social Impacts	Community empowerment, Revival or continuation of cultural/religious associations, Mitigation of external threat
Ecological Impact	Natural habitat preservation, Good diversity and population of wildlife, Improved/sustained ecological services
Internal Threats and Challenges	Conflict with other communities, Reduced awareness about biodiversity and its value, Over-harvesting from within the community
External Threats and Challenges	Unwanted extraction , Climate change impacts, Hunting from other villages

Currently, there are two key plans for the CCA, they are:

(a) Establishing a biodiversity education experiential centre that will on sustainability issues viz. leadership, best practices, co-learning of community conservation.

(b) Design a responsible community-based ecotourism experience in Sendenyu.

The proposal for the establishment of the Sendenyu Community Ecotourism Board is given below:

SENDENYU COMMUNITY ECO-TOURISM BOARD

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of establishing Sendenyu Community Tourism Board is to set up a governing body to plan, make rules and regulation, govern and engage with concerned villages authorities-groups, and external parties with matters of related to community- based tourism activities in Sendenyu village(s).

GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of Sendenyu Community Tourism Board is to establish a sustainable community-based tourism model for Sendenyu Community Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Reserve, Nsonji lake, Eco-Tourism Destination Center and places-sites of significance considering the rich biodiversity, cultural, historical and religious heritage of Sendenyu village(s).

The objective of the board will be as follows:

(1) To represent Sendenyu village(s) as the apex body with matters related to tourism activities.

(2) To develop a vision document viz. detail project report (DPR) for Sendenyu Community-based Sustainable Tourism project.

(3) To make rules and regulations for the management of tourism activities in the village(s).

(4) To set up roles and responsibilities for various bodies and groups in the village(s) for the management and administration of tourism activities.

(5) To coordinate, manage and implement sustainable tourism activities in the village(s).

(6) To liaison and engage with external parties and agencies for assistance in the development viz. design, fundraising, implementation and management of Sendenyu Community-Based Sustainable Tourism project.

APPROVED BOARD MEMBERS

(a) The board members' term period will be 5 years.

(b) There are 18 members for the term period of 2022-2027.

OFFICE BEARERS

Chairman: Mr. Gwasinlo Thong

Vice-Chairman: Mr. Tenyenilo Thong

Secretary: Mr. Ruchinilo Kemp

Joint-Secretary: Mr. Philip Chadi Seb

Treasurer: Mrs. Asenuo Kemp

MEMBERS

Mr. Jonathan Mesen, Mrs. Alice Thong Yoshu, Mr. Obed Kent

ADVISOR

Mr. Shuvajit Payne

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS BY PORTFOLIO

President, Sendenyu Chwipen Union

President, Sendenyu Lojvu Youth Organization.

President, Sendenyu Lojvu Student Organization.

President, Sendenyu Lojvu Mothers' Association.

Pastor, Sendenyu Baptist Church.

Church Board Chairman, Sendenyu Baptist Church.

Chairman, SWB&WCC.

Secretary, SWB&WCC.

Chairman, Sendenyu Lojvu Eco-club.

Village Council Chairman Sendenyu

Village Council Chairman New Sendenyu

Village Council Chairman Thongsunyu

Village Council Chairman Lostuphen

Data Contributor

Data Source	From publicly available sources, By community member/s, Through participation and consent of entire community
Year of Study	2000

References and Glossary

License

CC BY Attribution

Multimedia, News and Updates

THE AMERICAN HISTORY OF NATURAL MUSEUM (2022) Ichthyophis sendenyu Kamei, Wilkinson, Gower, and Biju, 2009 CLICK HERE
NORTHEAST-NOW (2021) Nagaland: Sendenyu village in Kohima turns itself biodiversity conservation destination CLICK HERE
NAGALAND POST (2021) Nsonji lake project inaugurated at Sendenyu CLICK HERE
EAST MOJO (2021) Coffee most promising crop for Nagaland: Chief Secy to growers CLICK HERE
THE GAURDIAN (2020) The age of extinction: ‘I swapped my gun for binoculars’: India’s hunters turn to conservation CLICK HERE
MONGABAY (2020) A community in Nagaland strives to sustain wildlife protection amid fresh challenges CLICK HERE
INDIA TODAY NE (2020) Sendenyu village in Kohima makes itself a biodiversity conservation destination CLICK HERE
NAGALAND PAGE (2020) Rejuvenation of Nsonji Lake Project bears fruit CLICK HERE
NAGALAND POST (2019) Forest Department Organises Wildlife Conservation at Botsa CLICK HERE
NAGALAND CCA FORUM (2018) Community conservation project at Sendenyu making strides towards protection & preservation of wildlife CLICK HERE
THE BETTER INDIA (2016) WATCH: The Film on the Relentless Conservation Efforts by Nagaland Villagers That Just Got Awarded CLICK HERE
BALIPARA FOUNDATION (2016) Balipara Foundation Wildlife Conservation Award 2016 CLICK HERE
MORUNG EXPRESS (2016) Nagaland Tourism Association mission- ‘Explore Sendenyu’ CLICK HERE
EASTERN MIRROR (2016) Sendenyu recieves award for conservation CLICK HERE
TERI (2015) A documentary by TERI on the conservation story of Sendenyu village viz. conservation movement in Nagaland CLICK HERE
MORUNG EXPRESS (2014) Sendenyu Village’s effort to preserve flora & fauna CLICK HERE
THE MINT (2013) The sambar and the red hot chilli pepper CLICK HERE
IUCN RED LIST (2012) Sendenyu Striped Ichthyophis CLICK HERE
FRANS WELMAN (2011) Out of Isolation - Exploring a Forgotten World CLICK HERE
KALPAVRIKSH (2009) Sendenyu village: case study CLICK HERE
INDIA BIODIVERSITY PORTAL (2009) Ichthyophis sendenyu identified by Kamei, Wilkinson, Gower, and Biju CLICK HERE
AMPHIBIA WEB (2009) Ichthyophis sendenyu, Sendenyu striped Ichthyophis CLICK HERE
ZOOTAXA (2009) Three new species of striped Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from the northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland CLICK HERE
PAUL HATTAWAY (2006) From Head Hunters to Church Planters CLICK HERE
JP MILLS (1937) The Rengma Nagas CLICK HERE

Attribution: Base Camp Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Reserve
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Nsonji lake, a freshwater lake below Sendenyu CCA. It is part of the conservation efforts by the community.
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Sendenyu Village Council Wildlife Conservation Act 2001
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Amendment to Sendenyu Village Council Wildlife Conservation Act (2001) 2005
License: CC-BY

Attribution: 13th Finance Commission Team visit to Sendenyu CCA
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Governor's Gold Medal Award 2017 to Sendenyu Community Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Committee for outstanding service
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Annual Balipara Foundation Award 2016 for excellence in community conservation efforts. In association with Call of the Wild Sanctuary Asia.
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Conservation deliberation at Sendenyu Chwipen Dzon (Annual Citizens Day)
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Sendenyu people rally for Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation. Community engagement is key to collective action and adherence to conservation norms.
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Women are integral to conservation efforts, there regular interaction with forest and its resources makes them key stakeholders.
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Bringing youths to the forefront of conservation is key in developing next generation leadership..
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Village council leadership is crucial to ensure conservation norms are followed and defaulters are penalised.
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Immediate support and relief of wildlife is crucial for fauna protection.
License: CC-BY

Attribution: Proper conflict resolution mechanism providing equity in justice is paramount to sustain conservation efforts and cooperation in the community.
License: CC-BY