Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho has assured government support for the effective implementation of the Community-based Sustainable Forest Management for Water Resources Conservation in Manipur (COSFOM) project, an Indo-German initiative aimed at restoring degraded forests, conserving water resources and improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
Dikho, who is also in charge of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, gave the assurance during a meeting with officials of Germany’s KfW Development Bank and the COSFOM project at the Civil Secretariat in Mantripukhri.
During the meeting, Nina Jantos, Portfolio Manager for Natural Resources and Climate, East and Southeast Asia, at KfW Development Bank, briefed the Deputy Chief Minister on the project’s progress and objectives. She acknowledged the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Manipur, while highlighting the project’s ecological and community development goals.
The project targets the restoration of 21,800 hectares of degraded forest, strengthening of upper watersheds and improvement of community livelihoods. Jantos sought the state government’s support to ensure its smooth implementation and continuity.
Dikho acknowledged the project’s role in forest conservation and community development, particularly through income-generating activities, community infrastructure and support for self-help groups. He assured the visiting team of the government’s assistance in advancing the initiative.
COSFOM is supported by the Government of India and KfW under the Indo-German Programme on Climate Change Adaptation. The Manipur Forest Department implements the project, while the Community Forestry and Water Conservation Society-Manipur manages it.
The meeting was attended by representatives of KfW Development Bank, GFA Consulting Group GmbH and the Manipur Forest Department, including COSFOM project officials.