Devender Singh Dhapola, consultant from DoLR, RD Ministry GoI and others at the Watershed Yatra at Surumi Village under Zunheboto on February 20. (Morung Photo)
Tokavi K Zhimo
Zunheboto | February 20
Under the Department of Land Resources, Zunheboto a Watershed Yatra Campaign PMKSY-WDC 2.0 was conducted at Surumi village, Zunheboto District at the village community hall on February 20.
Devender Singh Dhapola, consultant from DoLR, RD Ministry GoI, in his address, highlighted that the main objective of this yatra are to create awareness and disseminate information about the responsibility of maintaining our environment for the future. He said that the programme was inaugurated on February 5 by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in Delhi for all the states in India for 60 days, with a 20-day yatra specifically for Nagaland state.
“We should save our environment for our future and for our children by participating in the yatra,” he emphasised while urging the people to learn how to conserve rainwater. He also mentioned that JJM and watershed are linked with each other.
Dhapola also encouraged coffee plantation as a potential livelihood and cash crop. He urged the State to open a Nagaland Coffee Cafe in Delhi to promote and boost the economy. He cited an example from Uttarakhand, where a person can face up to 10 years in jail for cutting even a single tree without proper permission, and urged the State to use firewood judiciously. He suggested alternative ways of using rocket chullas to reduce the extensive use of firewood.
Hekato N, Additional Director, LRD in his address said, “We must plant new trees when we cut down others.” He stressed that “water is essential for life” and urged all to use it judiciously. The SDO Civil Suruhuto Subdivision also mentioned that we harvest what we sow.
Dr Hutoka Jakha from ATMA, highlighted that Nagaland is lacking in the production of winter vegetables and stressed alternative methods like drip irrigation for producing crops such as cabbage and cardamom. He pointed out that the landholding system causes significant challenges in irrigation, with some land left idle. Dr Jakha explained that without forests, there will be no water sources, as there are no trees or grass to recharge groundwater.
Tsonki, ACF Zunheboto, elaborated that we are here because of forests, which filter our water, reduce noise pollution, and help lower temperatures. He stressed that it takes 100 to 1,000 years to form an inch of topsoil, so we must protect it from soil erosion. Forests are also a source of medicinal plants and resources, so we must use them judiciously, plan for the future, and only use what we need.
I Acato Chishi, District Project Officer, LRD Zunheboto in his keynote address reiterated that the yatra aims to raise public awareness and encourage informed citizenship. He stated that overexploitation of natural resources is detrimental, driven by human greed, and encouraged sustainable practices to replenish our natural resources. “Without water, life on Earth will cease,” he asserted and added, “This yatra is for our survival.”
Earlier, Kheshito Awomi, Watershed Development Team member chaired the event with invocation by Mughalu Swu, Pastor of Surumi Baptist Church. A short speech was delivered by Ilihika Aye, Beauty and Aesthetics Society of Nagaland Watershed Icon, followed by a folk song performed by Surumi GBs, coffee planters, and a street play by the Mushroom Group, SHG Surumi Village. The programme concluded with a Van activity (AR Experience) and Shramdaan activities.
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