Human beings are eternally dependent on water for survival. It’s a natural law of life and with time water has become the core natural resource that will decisively define the destiny and quality of human life. Those having effective ownership over natural resources will be at the helm of power. Water is at the center of what constitutes the balance of power in human relationships. The question of water is not just about its quantity, but the quality of water and whether it is safe for human use. It is true that natural fresh water sources are decreasing rapidly and with increasing human practices that are not respectful and sensitive to natural resources, the issues of poor sanitation and water pollution has come to pose enormous problems around the issue of water.
Experts and analyst have time again reminded us that the next major conflict with global implications will be fought over water. The fact remains that water has been the cause of many conflicts throughout the course of human history. Most of these conflicts were confined to local and regional levels. However with growing population, decreasing natural water sources and increasing value attached to water, the potential for a major conflict over water is very real and immediate. The issue here is not just the lack of safe drinking water, but the water borne diseases that has caused the death of many lives especially in conflict areas. At least 1.8 million people die world wide from diarrhea every year.
It this very compelling global situation one needs to put into perspective the Naga experience. Nagas in general usually take pride in the freshness and purity of the fresh water found in the Naga Hills. Some often declare that it is a God given gift, not be found anywhere else. However, are Nagas taking good care of its water sources? In many of the Naga towns and villages there is an acute shortage of water supply to people’s homes. This shortage is not necessarily because of the lack of natural water sources. Rather it is because water sources are not being tapped and managed in a way that would benefit a village or a town. The method of water distribution lacks strategic planning and the technology used is very rudimentary and lacks the sophistication needed to adequately meet the growing demands of an ever increasing human population.
Nagas need to protect and effectively harness their natural water sources. This implies the need to prevent rampant deforestation and destruction of the ecology. Proactive steps must be initiated to ensure the effective protection of the environment so that natural water sources are sustained. The Naga public needs to be involved in finding solutions to these pressing issues of water. Nagas must recognize that the northeast region now has maximum natural water sources in the Indian sub-continent. While Delhi is trying to harness water sources and its energy in this region to be exported to the sub-continent, people must ensure that it is not at the cost of the survival of the northeast.
