Media Workshop on Climate Change underway in Kohima
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 11
Nagaland has seen a steady rise in both minimum and maximum temperatures over the past 100 years. Wokha, Zunheboto, Tuensang and Phek have registered an increase in minimum temperature of over 1.6 degree celsius.
These observations were made by Dinesh C. Sharma, Managing Editor of India Science Wire during inaugural day of the 3-day “Media Workshop on Climate Change Reporting in the Himalayas” at the Hotel Japfü, Kohima on December 11.
Delay in rainfall, droughts, increasing temperature etc. are some of the impacts of climate change, Sharma stated adding, “This is resulting in a change in traditional cropping patterns and farming methods.”
Key areas to combat climate change
Agriculture, water resource and livelihoods are the 3 key areas to take steps in combating climate change, Sharma said, and suggested finding answers to how climate change was affecting a particular region, district or state and how the locals were taking adaptation measures.
Citing adaptation practices of farmers in Mizoram, he pointed out that they have been growing dragon fruit imported from Thailand as the increasing temperature made the climate favourable for its cultivation.
Stating that climate change goes beyond environment and requires understanding of several areas, he said, “Politics, science, water, agri, forests, livelihood etc. are all interlinked to climate change.”
To this effect, Sharma reasoned all departments need to take steps on the issue. Rain harvesting/water reservoirs being build under MNREGA for instance is a step to combat climate change, he maintained and called for joint action of civil societies and the community communities towards mitigating climate change.
However, Sharma cautioned against making sweeping generalisations and linking every weather-related event to climate change. “Climate change is not an event but a process,” he maintained.
In this regard, Sharma, addressing the gathering of journalists, pointed to the media’s role in shaping public opinion and also gave them pointers on how to report on climate change.
Improving jhumming practices
Dr. Dipak Chetri, DAO Longleng and Jt. Director, State Agricultural Research Station (SARS), Mokokchung shared on the adaptation practices in Longleng where farmers with the increase in temperature have started growing mustard and lady’s finger.
Agriculture is also having an effect on climate change, Dr. Chetri observed and revealed that there has been a decrease in growing cereals and an increase in cash crops in Nagaland.
Touching on the practice of shifting cultivation or jhum, he was of the opinion that it was not necessarily bad.
Stating that jhum has been practiced by Nagas for hundreds of years, Dr. Chetri said that there is more organic carbon in jhum soil than in plain soil. This, he argued, shows that there is a “check and balance” to the practice. 
Dr. Chetri while pointing out that there has been a change in cropping pattern, suggested improving jhumming practices and cited practices in Pfutsero and Khonoma where Alder trees have been effectively used to improve soil fertility and at the same time check soil erosion. Further, the DAO Longleng was of the view that Nagaland was not adequately equipped to combat climate change. There is a need for developing processes which are locally adapted and rooted to the community, he stated and in this regard called on local institutions such as the churches to play a bigger role in combating climate change. State Climate Action Plan to be reviewed Meanwhile, Dellirose M. Sakhrie, IAS, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, stated that there is an urgent need to disseminate scientific research on climate change to the masses and expressed hope that the workshop would bridge the gap bridge and help combat climate change. The newly created Nagaland State Climate Change Cell would soon review the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) in selected sectors, she further announced while inaugurating the media workshop. It includes undertaking vulnerability and risk assessment at all levels and helping various government departments and stakeholders to understand and find solutions to address climate change in the state. “The government of Nagaland has taken a very systematic and proactive approach towards the formulation of the state action plan, and in line with this the climate change cell is working with line departments to have a complementary and synergistic output,” Sakhrie added. Supongnukshi, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forest and State Nodal Officer for Climate Change also informed about the status and activities of the SAPCC and the measures being taken up by the State Government. The three-day workshop is jointly organised by the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), Indian Himalayas Adaptation Programme (IHCAP) of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Department of Science and Technology, GoI, and the Nagaland State Climate Change Cell.
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