Dimapur, May 1 (MExN): In order to empower people at the grass root level and in an outreach aimed at the needy section of society, a programme under the theme ‘Community Development through Sustainable Livelihood’ was jointly organized by the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Peren Division and BENAAN Biosphere, a local NGO from Nagaland.
Held at Nchangram Village under Tening District, the programme was attended by hundreds of people from the surrounding villages in which District Forest Officer, Peren, Dr Sentitula, IFS gave the keynote address on the theme.
Pointing out that real development will be experienced only when the community at large becomes economically independent, she encouraged the gathering to work as a community and focus on building sustainable livelihoods.
“Development of a community is not all about making roads, constructing big buildings but basically development is the realization of oneself and the ability that prompt towards change,” the DFO said.
Stating that the distinctive characteristic of the tribal people is the community, Dr Sentitula added that the same methods apply to community development wherein people should out their heads together to bring changes in their community.
Also pointing out that “forest is the storehouse for all living being”, the DFO said that our Naga forefathers “read nature in order to know the will of God”. She also impressed upon the community that “good forest is an indicator of prosperity” and that “ecological and food security depends on quality and quantity of forest”.
The DFO also shared with the villagers gathered about the State of Forest Report 2017 wherein Peren district has 87.1% forest cover out of the total geographical area. “These forest provides all our basic needs but we should harvest these resources sustainably to meet the needs of our future generations and at the same time enhance our livelihood”, she said.
She also encouraged the local farmers to use science wherever it is sustainable in order to enhance one’s livelihood for community development.
Journalist turned conservationist Along Longkumer spoke on behalf of BENAAN Biosphere where he shared some of the vision and goals of the NGO. Pointing out that the Naga community has been blessed with natural resources of land, water, fresh air and the abundance of forest, he said the main aim of the NGO was to protect, sustain and responsibly use these natural resources.
He suggested that respective villages should try and identity their comparative advantages and focus on them rather than trying to do too many things. Advising villagers to protect the natural environment, he suggested in utilizing the existing forest cover to explore fish farming, bee-keeping and coffee. All these activities can be done, according to him without compromising the natural environment.
An enlightening talk on Animal Care & Management was given by Dr Imti from the College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Jalukie.
In order to give a holistic understanding of development in the context of the prevalent socio-religious thinking among Nagas, a short talk on ‘Work and Worship’ was delivered by C. Bendang Jamir, a trained teacher of Homiletics. Reminding the members present about the hardworking nature of Naga forefathers, Jamir pointedly told that ‘one should not eat if you don’t work’.
“When we work we have to multiply and be fruitful. Only then will we be in a position to sustain any enterprise we undertake”, he said adding “until we get economic independence we will not get spiritual freedom”.
The official programme included public interaction and response from the resource persons to queries and other concerns. Livestock farmers in particular highlighted about some of the difficulties they were facing due to shortage of medicines and the absence of veterinary personnel to guide them.
Others who spoke included Shuneing, Chairman of Nchangram Village Council and Hainlang Hau, member BENAAN Biosphere. Namsibo, Forest Range Officer, Tening chaired the programme while songs and traditional dances were presented by youths and women folk of Nchangram village.
The official programme was followed by free distribution of tree saplings and poultry chicks besides a special animal health care camp was conducted with enthusiastic participation of local livestock farmers after which, free veterinary medicines were also distributed.
Dr Imti, Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Jalukie, Peren District took the time to interact with livestock farmers about problems faced and prescribed medicines.
