Morung Express News
Kisama | September 28
The dense forest in Kohima district has been reduced to 0.63 per cent (8 sq km) out of its total area of 1290 sq.km, informed Dr. Kenei Miachieo, IFS during the final seminar of the Angami Youth Organisation held on September 28 at Kisama, Bamboo Hall on the topic ‘Environment’.
The stark reality of the deteriorating eco-system in Kohima was discussed and solutions suggested during the seminar, with Dr. Kethoser Kevichüsa, Trainer, RZIM and Dr. Kenei Miachieo, IFS as the resource persons and Kezhokhoto Savi, Advocate; Dr. Tolto Metha, Team leader, NBDA, and Zeu Tsikha, DPO, Land Resources as panelists.
When you are not able to protect your land, you lose your identity and your culture, stated Dr. Kenei Miachieo who viewed that the Naga existence in economic and political fields would have been more turbulent had it not been for 371 A.
Kohima has an area of 1290 sq.km out of which only 0.63% consists of dense forests (8 sq.km), 28 percent (370 sq.km) consists of moderately dense forest and open forest consists of 57% (733 sq km) in the district. Pointing out the decrease in the area of dense forests, Dr. Miachieo said targets should be made to convert moderate dense forest to dense forests, and open forests to moderately dense forests. “It is totally achievable. In fifty years, we can have rich dense forests if we start acting now. Ours is a responsible society. Our land is productive. We are endowed with naturally growing seasons which lasts for more than 8 months,” he said while citing examples of community reserved areas and wildlife sanctuaries like Khonoma, Jotsoma, and Sendenyu.
Suggestions were given to APO and AYO to lead villages in preserving the forests. “Long term benefits must be preferred over short term benefits of the few,” said Dr. Miachieo specifically pointing to the issue of mining. He stated that natural regeneration should be preferred over artificial plantation by planting existing indigenous species, ban hunting during breeding season, and inter-village coordination in preserving forests. Environment conservation or Natural heritage committee, think-tank groups must be created for discussions and formulating plans, he suggested.
Dr. Kethoser meanwhile provided a Biblical perspective on environmental protection. He said Christians must understand what the Bible says about nature and environment, and pointed out that it is the responsibility of every one to take care of it. Whatever has been borrowed and used must be taken great care of, said Dr. Kevichüsa, while stating that humans do not own the lands, rather they are “called upon by the Creator to be stewards of the land.” Nature is what God gives us and culture is what we make with what God has given us, he stated.
Tolto Metha spoke on climate change and pointed to the landslides, flooding and incessant rainfall in the state as well. Metha pointed out that these are results of manmade actions, and said that in Nagaland forests are disappearing with timber being exported every day.
“A natural tree can support two human lives, each time a tree is cut down, we are killing two human lives,” said Dr Metha, while suggesting efforts towards bamboo plantations, sustainable development and eco-tourism.
The importance of bamboo plantation was emphasized because of its feasibility in Nagaland, as it takes only three years for a bamboo to mature. Dr Metha informed that Nagaland has the highest number of bamboo species in India (46).
Kezhokhoto Savi spoke on the legal perspective of environmental protection. “Every citizen has a moral duty toward environment protection. We are failing on our part in replacing the trees that we have cut or cleared the thick forest/jungle around us either for development or construction of roads and in order to fight for the menace of global warming, vigorous efforts should be made such as to discourage activities or development or business such as stone quarry, stone crusher which causes damages to environment,” stated Savi.
He further cited the Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo’s (KABA) community service project and said such activities are steps towards protecting, spreading awareness, and cleaning the environment.
