Advisor H Khehovi Yeputhomi addressing the third edition of Chengu Festival celebrated with special focus on traditional agriculture at Ghukhuyi village on January 18. (DIPR Photo)
Zunheboto, January 20 (MExN): The third edition of Chengu Festival was celebrated with special focus on traditional agriculture at Ghukhuyi village on January 18.
According to a DIPR report, the festival organised by the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBVLN) and supported by Japan Fund for Global Environment of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency was graced by Advisor, Tourism and Art and Culture, H Khehovi Yeputhomi as special guest and Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS as guest of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Khehovi said, “God's greatest gift to human is nature and its resources and despite being a small state we have many beautiful landscapes and rich culture and traditions.” He urged everyone to preserve one’s natural resources and do away with hunting and destruction of natural resources.
He encouraged the people to make good use of the various schemes and projects that the central government and state government has been giving to help the poor and needy in rural areas. He also requested the people, especially elders, to teach the young people various folk songs, folklores, folk dance and teach them to preserve one's traditional dresses and ornaments properly so that they too can teach their children thereby preserving our rich culture and traditions.
On the occasion he also released one Chengu bird which was rescued from hunters.
APC, Y Kikheto Sema IAS in his address stressed on conserving natural resources, protect wildlife and promote biodiversity by prohibiting hunting, logging, mining etc. “By conserving our natural resources, we can minimise the depletion of resources as well as preservation of resources that are mainly used for the future generation for prosperity,” he stated.
The APC urged the villagers to practice self-cultivation and come forward to the concerned department i.e agriculture department or forest department if they have any doubts regarding the use of pesticides or any artificial means of cultivation so that the soil is conserved and harvest is organic, rich and in abundance. He added that with modernization and changing Naga society the traditional shifting cultivation or jhum cultivation is currently in transition and hence it becomes imperative to understand the role of shifting cultivation for sustainable development in present context.
Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto Peter Lichamo, NCS his short speech appreciated the GBs, elders and all the citizens of the three villages including Kivikhu, Sukhai and Ghukhuyi for making the Chengu festival happen and also requested them to do even more better and be an example to other villagers so that they would join them in preserving the wild animals and natural resources.
The programme was led by Tavin Chishi and Eli Yetho. Keynote address was delivered by Sataya Prakash Tripathi IFS, chairman NSBB and Kakishe Murru delivered the vote of thanks. It was followed by cultural items by various traditional teams from the three villages.
