Mokokchung, July 9 (MExN): In a big step towards the preservation of bio-diversity, the Longsa and Ungma Village Council today formally declared the Dikhu river and its surrounding area as a ‘Green Zone’ where hunting, fishing and throwing of garbage is strictly prohibited; the two village council have declared that violators would be fined a sum of Rs 50,000 as per ‘customary law’.
In a formal function held today at the Dikhu river bank (near the Dikhu Bridge on NH 155), the Additional chief Secretary & Development Commissioner, Alemtemshi Jamir who was the chief guest, lauded the effort of the two village council and the students unions of the two village for initiating the “Tzula (Dikhu) Green Zone Project”. He said that this project would be a new chapter in the society of not only the two villagers and the Ao people, but also for the whole Naga people.
Asserting that this project heralds a new story, a new tradition in the Naga way of life, Alemtemshi Jamir urged the Tzula Green Zone Project Management Committee to work sincerely and with dedication for the success of the project.
Talking about sharing of resources, Alemtemshi Jamir asserted that this understanding between the two village of Ungma and Longsa working together to preserve the natural resources under the villages is a big lesson to other people as to how to share the natural resources without any disputes.
Besides, he also urged the leaders from neighbouring villages, especially the villages under Tuensang and Zunheboto that are situated near to Longsa and Ungma, to remember that the Tzula Green Zone Project is the responsibility of not only the Ungma and Longsa villages but also the reasonability of the neighbouring villages.
Earlier on reaching the spot, the chief guest unveiled the Tzula (Dikhu) Green Zone Project monolith. He was accompanied by a host of officials from different departments like NEPED, Fisheries, Soil & Water Conservation, Mokokchung district administration and IPR. A large number of village leaders from different villages (even from Teunsang and Zunheboto villages lying near Ungma and Longsa) attended the programme.
