Akangjungla
A balanced approach to development, one that prioritises environmental sustainability and community well-being, is an urgent need which surfaces in climate and development related discourse. In the local context, it is commonly understood that by embracing participatory development and reconnecting with indigenous knowledge, the Naga people can forge a path toward a sustainable future.
The sight of towering buildings and sprawling infrastructures replacing what was once the habitat of exotic plants, animals and bird species is deeply disheartening. The memories of local Cherry Blossoms and wild Sunflowers that once grew effortlessly along the pathways to many Naga villages have now faded, replaced by concrete retaining walls, commercial structures and multi-lane roads. Even common plants like broom grass, once abundant across Nagaland, have become a rare sight. Few Nagas grew up knowing that broom grass plays a vital role in preventing soil erosion, a fact now overshadowed by rapid urbanization.
The implementation of development projects, often promising economic growth, has come at a significant cost to nature. The most visible outcome has been a handful of low-grade jobs for landowners, while many of these infrastructures remain empty or non-functional due to complex challenges. Environmental sustainability has taken a back seat, raising growing concerns for both present and future generations.
As an indigenous community, Nagas have been farmers since time long past. Yet, in the pursuit of development, Naga peoples are gradually losing control over our own food sovereignty. Today, Nagas are transitioning into a new economic paradigm, driven by hopes for a better tomorrow. While this aspiration is not inherently wrong, the focus must shift toward building the capacity for economic self-sufficiency. Participatory development should be the guiding principle. Development that neglects the well-being and growth of future generations cannot be considered a sound strategy.
The value of Naga heritage, property and natural resources lies in their ‘reserve forests’ and traditional lands. The unique land laws, which grant the right to self-determined development, provide a foundation for Nagas to achieve their own sustainable development goals. Landownership comes with the responsibility to nurture ancestral territories, which should serve as an asset for the entire community. Unfortunately, this right has not been utilised to benefit the collective. A lack of understanding of sustainable living and development, coupled with an overemphasis on seeking compensations, has led to environmental degradation. This lack of forethought fails to recognise that human livelihoods and survival depend on the health of the land.
Development is multidimensional, and so are its impacts and consequences. It cannot be defined by a standard measurement. Yet, if the dream of a better tomorrow manifests as floods, droughts, landslides and climate change, then the concept of development for the Naga people must be redefined. Perhaps it is time to return to the self-determined development model practiced by Naga ancestors, which involved the entire community in dialogue and decision-making. This approach, rooted in a deeper understanding of the relationship between development and the protection, conservation and growth of nature, could heal the damage inflicted by human activity over the years. In time, it may secure a resilient, self-sufficient and flourishing land for future generations.
Comments can be sent to akangjungla@gmail.com
