Moses Hongang Chang
Tuensang | August 5
For over two decades, residents of Phinjang Colony in Tuensang Town have been grappling with the devastating effects of landslides and soil sinking. Despite numerous pleas for assistance, the situation has progressively worsened, affecting hundreds of households and posing a significant threat to lives and properties. The community's cry for help has finally garnered the attention of local authorities, but the question remains: Is it too little, too late?
A History of Unheeded Warnings
The issue began with a major landslide in 1997, marking the start of a series of environmental challenges for the colony. At the time, the community lacked both the knowledge and resources to tackle the problem effectively. "In the initial years, the landslides were sporadic and less severe, but the situation has become progressively worse," said a local resident.
The severity of the problem escalated significantly by 2010, when another major land sinking occurred, prompting the Phinjang Colony Public Union (PCPU) to formally reach out for help. On August 23, 2010, they contacted the Deputy Commissioner with an urgent plea, followed by another letter on September 1, 2010. Despite these efforts, there was no substantive response from the authorities. "Our repeated attempts to get help from the government were met with indifference, which only exacerbated our plight," remarked the PCPU spokesperson.
On August 17, 2012, the PCPU sent another letter to the Deputy Commissioner, who also serves as the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC). This letter detailed the worsening conditions and highlighted the lack of governmental intervention. Yet again, the communication was ignored. The residents' growing frustration was obvious as they continued to face growing damage to their homes and infrastructure.
Taking Matters into Their Own Hands
Faced with persistent governmental neglect, Phinjang Colony leaders took matters into their own hands. On June 8, 2024, they established a Disaster Management Committee to spearhead local mitigation efforts. "We had no choice but to act ourselves. We couldn't wait any longer for the authorities who had shown little interest in our plight," said a committee member.
Supported by the Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), the committee launched a vetiver plantation project on July 4, 2024. Over 50,000 vetiver grasses were planted to stabilize the soil. Vetiver grass is known for its deep root system, which can effectively reduce soil erosion and improve soil stability. This grassroots initiative was a critical step in addressing the immediate environmental concerns.
On July 12, 2024, the committee also approached the District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) for additional support.
They requested assistance in constructing sausage-wire structures and geotextiles—materials essential for further soil stabilization and erosion control.
The situation took a significant turn on July 27, 2024, when the District Administration and the Nodal Officer from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) visited the affected sites. The visit underscored the gravity of the crisis and led to the establishment of a temporary relief camp. On July 29, 2024, the NSDMA and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) began setting up the camp at C/Khel Tuensang Village. This facility is expected to provide immediate relief to 141 households from Phinjang and 7 households from NST for at least two months. However, so far only 14 households are accommodated in the relief camp.
Call for Comprehensive Action
Despite the recent efforts, the prolonged neglect by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and other governmental bodies has left the community in a precarious situation. "The fact that it took this long for the government to react shows a severe lack of preparedness and urgency," noted a member of the PCPU. The residents remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the temporary measures and are calling for a thorough investigation and long-term planning to prevent further disasters.
The Disaster Management Act of 2005 requires district authorities to identify vulnerable areas and alert state authorities to mitigate potential disasters. The apparent failure of the DDMA to adhere to these protocols raises serious concerns about the preparedness and responsiveness of various government departments, including Public Works Department (PWD), Urban Development, and the Electrical Department.
"The community has shown remarkable resilience and self-reliance, but we cannot continue to rely on our own efforts alone," said a resident.
