RIWATCH AND KOHIMA SCIENCE COLLEGE SIGN LANDMARK MOU TO BOOST RESEARCH AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION IN NORTHEAST INDIA | DIPR Nagaland-Department of Information & Public Relations, Nagaland - DIPR Nagaland

The signing ceremony took place in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, where representatives of RIWATCH and officials of Kohima Science College exchanged documents in front of a modest audience of scholars and local leaders. Both parties highlighted the need for a structured partnership that can bring scientific expertise to the region while respecting its unique cultural fabric. The memorandum outlines a framework for collaborative research, joint workshops, and the creation of a shared digital repository for tribal languages, traditional knowledge and biodiversity data.

The Northeast region of India is home to a rich mosaic of ethnic groups, each with distinct languages, customs and ecological practices. Over the years, rapid development and environmental pressures have threatened many of these traditions and natural habitats. By linking a research institute with a local college, the MOU aims to provide resources for field studies, laboratory analysis and community outreach that can help protect endangered species and preserve intangible cultural assets. Students will gain hands‑on experience in ethnographic methods, while senior researchers can access remote field sites through the college's network.

Implementation will begin with a series of pilot projects focused on documenting oral histories of indigenous communities and conducting ecological surveys in the surrounding hills. Funding for these initiatives is expected to come from government grants and private donors who have expressed interest in supporting regional development. The partnership also plans to host annual conferences that bring together scholars, policymakers and community elders to discuss findings and formulate recommendations. Over the next few years, the collaboration hopes to produce a body of knowledge that can inform sustainable development policies and inspire similar alliances across the country.