Every cultural resource constitutes potential information about past human activities which help expand our knowledge of the past and in turn reaffirm and strengthen our cultural identity. But presently, these irreplaceable properties of great value to the world’s heritage are at stake! Numerous cultural heritage sites around the world are fast disappearing from the landscape. Because of the rapidly changing social and economic conditions, such resources need to be adequately protected from the effects of existing and potential natural and man-made hazards.
Nagaland too has a rich archaeological legacy. Remnants of ancestral sites occur in various districts of the State for which the people must realize its potential value. Even before the potentials of these sites are investigated, numerous unprotected sites are either disturbed and under a threatened status or destroyed with the gradual pace of development. Keeping in mind the recent upsurge in the Ram Sethu controversy over the Sethusundaram canal project whereby conflicting views between myth, religion, science and politics were expressed, a mention must be made of Chiethu, the proposed site for air connectivity to the State capital. What is learnt from a recent news report (Nagaland Post, Saturday, September 15, 2007) is the completion of survey work at the site and the signing of the MoU between the Government of Nagaland and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) underway, after which construction work is likely to begin soon.
Chiethu, an early Naga ancestral settlement inhabited during pre-British times is yet another site that occupies a central place in the oral history of the region. However, considering the magnitude of damage the site may suffer once the work commences, it is but saddening to note how the site’s existence was ignored at the time of site survey. Such an adverse impact on the site could have been avoided if the importance of cultural heritage was recognized as legitimate, protected and integrated into the process of development. Because the activities associated with such programs can be destructive, an early consultation among officials responsible for the development project and those responsible for cultural resources would be effective in reducing the magnitude of destruction to such sites of cultural-historical importance. Folk beliefs embedded on these ancestral sites are largely disappearing due to the rapid social change in Nagaland. Today, there is a real need for Institutions concerned to readily respond to this situation with utmost urgency.
Nevertheless, considering the problem from a heritage management perspective, two alternatives may be suggested. For long-term economic development, alongside the airfield at Chiethu, a portion of the site may be managed as part of a cultural tourism program. Given the time constraints, the other compelling alternative is to undertake a salvage archaeological program by the State Department concerned by extensively documenting and relocating the cultural materials (artifacts, monoliths, and other structures) to an area of similar landscape or to the State Museum.
Against these backdrops, the enactment of a State legislation becomes paramount to tackle such destruction caused to heritage sites which in years to come may be very alarming. Until such drastic measures come forth, it is the local community, who are in the vicinity of these cultural resources that must protect and maintain these resources as their own. Ultimately the consequences would be a sad reminder – though stories of Chiethu may be recounted by the generations to come, yet with the visual and physical character of the site lost forever, Chiethu may seem like just another contesting myth to the future.
Anthropological Society of Nagaland, Kohima
Website: www.anthronaga.org
