The issues of Climate and Global Warming have today become the greatest challenge to the human strive for its continued and dignified existence.
Climate change was an issue of MITIGATION, which still is a major issue, but more so now is the issue of ADAPTATION. Climate impact has always happened. We had floods, droughts and high intensity of rainfall, but the impact in the future will be more if we do not act upon it fast. It is not easy, but neither is it impossible. We risk losing not only our tradition and cultures, but also much knowledge on wild species of plants and animals, which have unique adaptations and genetic make-up capable of coping with a rapidly changing climatic condition, and which may hold some of the keys to our survival. Biodiversity underlies all ecological goods and services.
Warmer summers and increase in the number of pests like locusts in the fields and mosquitoes in urban areas may be a pointer that climate change has already arrived in Nagaland. Since October 2008 till March end, the state hardly experienced any rain leading to severe drinking water shortage in hill areas, while farmers in many places complained of either delay in sowing or non-germination of seeds.
Climate Change is affecting the indigenous vegetables of Nagaland. Vegetable suppliers were saying that everywhere in the North-east farmers were now complaining about unknown diseases affecting their crops with traditional management of such problems not working any more, resulting in unpredictable harvests.
There were indications of a significant rise in the occurrence of summer-borne diseases as well as an increased occurrence of pests and vectors such as mosquitoes at higher altitudes such as in Zunheboto than was found earlier. In the winter of 2007, there was snowfall in Aghunato under Zunheboto, a previously unheard of phenomena in that area.
Take the case of Kikruma village also under Phek district of Nagaland, where the village passed a resolution to ban forest fires in order to preserve the flora and the fauna. (It would be interesting to note that they would burn a patch of forest just to catch a squirrel!). Birds are now in abundance as compared to before, but the villagers complain of the fact that, since the neighbouring villages do not have, or adopt such measures to control burning of forests, the birds from the surrounding areas come early and feed on all the food which would otherwise feed migratory birds. Now due to scarcity of food for the migratory birds, their absence is being felt.
Such is the case also of Lochomi village under Zunheboto district of Nagaland. During the year 1999-2000, they encroached on primary forest for jhumming. After that, migratory birds which usually come in large numbers are rarely seen these days as their natural habitat has been destroyed.
Loss of biodiversity can be attributed largely to the appropriation of land for agro-forestry (where two to four species are grown, unlike in Shifting cultivation where up to 60 crops are grown in a single jhum plot). Carbon sequestration patterns are attributed to the diversity of the flora and fauna which is among the highest in the world, facilitated by the shifting nature of cultivation ranging from around 7-12 years cycle, in such an area. (Nagaland is in the core of the sixth major Hot spots of Biodiversity known as the Indo-Burma Hot spot. The ranking of these Hot spots is based on the richness of biodiversity and experiencing a habitat loss due to excessive anthropogenic activities.)
The starkest examples are human diseases like HIV AIDS, mad cow disease and bird flu, but invasive plants and animals are now the greatest threat to native biodiversity. Non-indigenous organisms often quickly occupy disturbed land but can also devastate natural areas where, in the absence of their natural predators, they are able to thrive, like in the case of the previously unknown large ant species which are now a dominant species around the Chakhabama army cantonment and the surrounding villages. Imagine the consequences in the near future, with only that species of ant around that area.
During July-September 2009 and 2010 many places in the state witnessed long horned grasshoppers invading localities in the evenings when street lightings were on. Last year the increase in rainfall is not in the average total rainfall annually, but in the average intensity and quantum of discharge during the monsoon. 2010 witnessed an increase in rainfall quantum, in the month of July by 8.45% above normal, as per the hydrological records of the Directorate of Soil & Water Conservation, Government of Nagaland.
Although Nagaland does not have major industries, an area of concern was the ratio of people and vehicles in the state since the public transport system was poor. According to a conservative estimate, there were 1.50 lakh registered vehicles in Nagaland against a population of 25 lakh, or one vehicle against 16 or 17 people.
Awareness on Climate Change and its effect on our environment and ecology are slowly taking place in Nagaland. The Government of Nagaland and the public in general are playing their part, though negligible. Climate Change Leaders, who also plays a role in the State Task Force on Climate Change, were able to disseminate awareness and information on Climate Change in the Government, Educational institutions- Schools and colleges, Churches-including the NBCC, Civil bodies like the HOHOs.
On the other hand, the Government of Nagaland and the NGOs are playing their role to mitigate Climate Change. Compulsory use of CFLs and Tube Lights in Government and Government undertaking offices and Buildings are in place. Nagaland Civil Secretariat installed Solar Water Heater. Schools, Colleges, University and Government Departments are organizing seminars and workshops on Climate Change. Some other initiatives are:
• The PHED: Rain water harvesting
• Forest: Eco-club in schools, plantations
• CCL: Earth Hour and awareness creation
• Churches: Awareness creation on CC, Biodiversity Conservation,
• Civil Bodies like the HOHOs, Local NGOs: YARD in Kohima, WALO organization in Mon, ECS in Tuensang.
• NEPED: Awareness creation, Activities on Jhum land, Conservation efforts.
The KfW (German Development Bank) and The GTZ (German Technical Cooperation) is initiating a project on Climate Change Adaptation in Nagaland, especially in rural areas. This will help to some extent in development of coping mechanism for the vulnerable. It does not focus in urban areas, where experiences and problems are different. Populations are highly concentrated, with higher demand for basic necessities like water, power, space and need for clean air. But despite the fact that these activities of the Government of Nagaland and various organization is going on, much needs to be done.
Awareness creation with scientific evidence is often insufficient to produce social change, especially if that change entails moving people out of their comfort zones. At present we have a cultural tradition that places a high value on possession of material goods and a relatively low value on the natural world. Making Climate Change mitigation a top priority will be a THREAT to our economic system but, we must start now before it’s too late.
The Nagaland government, showing its commitment towards climate change, had officially observed Earth Hour on March 28, 2009 and March 27, 2010 by switching off lights in the entire state, along with the rest of the world. This year Earth Hour falls on 26th March, 8.30 PM. Let us all show solidarity again this year.
We hope that this commitment by our government gains further momentum with the ongoing process of formulating the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). Let Nagaland’s SAPCC clearly refl ect peoples’ vulnerabilities to climate change with comprehensive and realistic adaptation strategies that address these threats with tangible coping mechanisms.
Climate change was an issue of MITIGATION, which still is a major issue, but more so now is the issue of ADAPTATION. Climate impact has always happened. We had floods, droughts and high intensity of rainfall, but the impact in the future will be more if we do not act upon it fast. It is not easy, but neither is it impossible. We risk losing not only our tradition and cultures, but also much knowledge on wild species of plants and animals, which have unique adaptations and genetic make-up capable of coping with a rapidly changing climatic condition, and which may hold some of the keys to our survival. Biodiversity underlies all ecological goods and services.
Warmer summers and increase in the number of pests like locusts in the fields and mosquitoes in urban areas may be a pointer that climate change has already arrived in Nagaland. Since October 2008 till March end, the state hardly experienced any rain leading to severe drinking water shortage in hill areas, while farmers in many places complained of either delay in sowing or non-germination of seeds.
Climate Change is affecting the indigenous vegetables of Nagaland. Vegetable suppliers were saying that everywhere in the North-east farmers were now complaining about unknown diseases affecting their crops with traditional management of such problems not working any more, resulting in unpredictable harvests.
There were indications of a significant rise in the occurrence of summer-borne diseases as well as an increased occurrence of pests and vectors such as mosquitoes at higher altitudes such as in Zunheboto than was found earlier. In the winter of 2007, there was snowfall in Aghunato under Zunheboto, a previously unheard of phenomena in that area.
Take the case of Kikruma village also under Phek district of Nagaland, where the village passed a resolution to ban forest fires in order to preserve the flora and the fauna. (It would be interesting to note that they would burn a patch of forest just to catch a squirrel!). Birds are now in abundance as compared to before, but the villagers complain of the fact that, since the neighbouring villages do not have, or adopt such measures to control burning of forests, the birds from the surrounding areas come early and feed on all the food which would otherwise feed migratory birds. Now due to scarcity of food for the migratory birds, their absence is being felt.
Such is the case also of Lochomi village under Zunheboto district of Nagaland. During the year 1999-2000, they encroached on primary forest for jhumming. After that, migratory birds which usually come in large numbers are rarely seen these days as their natural habitat has been destroyed.
Loss of biodiversity can be attributed largely to the appropriation of land for agro-forestry (where two to four species are grown, unlike in Shifting cultivation where up to 60 crops are grown in a single jhum plot). Carbon sequestration patterns are attributed to the diversity of the flora and fauna which is among the highest in the world, facilitated by the shifting nature of cultivation ranging from around 7-12 years cycle, in such an area. (Nagaland is in the core of the sixth major Hot spots of Biodiversity known as the Indo-Burma Hot spot. The ranking of these Hot spots is based on the richness of biodiversity and experiencing a habitat loss due to excessive anthropogenic activities.)
The starkest examples are human diseases like HIV AIDS, mad cow disease and bird flu, but invasive plants and animals are now the greatest threat to native biodiversity. Non-indigenous organisms often quickly occupy disturbed land but can also devastate natural areas where, in the absence of their natural predators, they are able to thrive, like in the case of the previously unknown large ant species which are now a dominant species around the Chakhabama army cantonment and the surrounding villages. Imagine the consequences in the near future, with only that species of ant around that area.
During July-September 2009 and 2010 many places in the state witnessed long horned grasshoppers invading localities in the evenings when street lightings were on. Last year the increase in rainfall is not in the average total rainfall annually, but in the average intensity and quantum of discharge during the monsoon. 2010 witnessed an increase in rainfall quantum, in the month of July by 8.45% above normal, as per the hydrological records of the Directorate of Soil & Water Conservation, Government of Nagaland.
Although Nagaland does not have major industries, an area of concern was the ratio of people and vehicles in the state since the public transport system was poor. According to a conservative estimate, there were 1.50 lakh registered vehicles in Nagaland against a population of 25 lakh, or one vehicle against 16 or 17 people.
Awareness on Climate Change and its effect on our environment and ecology are slowly taking place in Nagaland. The Government of Nagaland and the public in general are playing their part, though negligible. Climate Change Leaders, who also plays a role in the State Task Force on Climate Change, were able to disseminate awareness and information on Climate Change in the Government, Educational institutions- Schools and colleges, Churches-including the NBCC, Civil bodies like the HOHOs.
On the other hand, the Government of Nagaland and the NGOs are playing their role to mitigate Climate Change. Compulsory use of CFLs and Tube Lights in Government and Government undertaking offices and Buildings are in place. Nagaland Civil Secretariat installed Solar Water Heater. Schools, Colleges, University and Government Departments are organizing seminars and workshops on Climate Change. Some other initiatives are:
• The PHED: Rain water harvesting
• Forest: Eco-club in schools, plantations
• CCL: Earth Hour and awareness creation
• Churches: Awareness creation on CC, Biodiversity Conservation,
• Civil Bodies like the HOHOs, Local NGOs: YARD in Kohima, WALO organization in Mon, ECS in Tuensang.
• NEPED: Awareness creation, Activities on Jhum land, Conservation efforts.
The KfW (German Development Bank) and The GTZ (German Technical Cooperation) is initiating a project on Climate Change Adaptation in Nagaland, especially in rural areas. This will help to some extent in development of coping mechanism for the vulnerable. It does not focus in urban areas, where experiences and problems are different. Populations are highly concentrated, with higher demand for basic necessities like water, power, space and need for clean air. But despite the fact that these activities of the Government of Nagaland and various organization is going on, much needs to be done.
Awareness creation with scientific evidence is often insufficient to produce social change, especially if that change entails moving people out of their comfort zones. At present we have a cultural tradition that places a high value on possession of material goods and a relatively low value on the natural world. Making Climate Change mitigation a top priority will be a THREAT to our economic system but, we must start now before it’s too late.
The Nagaland government, showing its commitment towards climate change, had officially observed Earth Hour on March 28, 2009 and March 27, 2010 by switching off lights in the entire state, along with the rest of the world. This year Earth Hour falls on 26th March, 8.30 PM. Let us all show solidarity again this year.
We hope that this commitment by our government gains further momentum with the ongoing process of formulating the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). Let Nagaland’s SAPCC clearly refl ect peoples’ vulnerabilities to climate change with comprehensive and realistic adaptation strategies that address these threats with tangible coping mechanisms.
PIKATO V. JIMO
Climate Change LEADer, Nagaland
www.climate-leaders.org
