Kohima, March 22 (MExN): Putting forward water concerns in relation with the theme, “Water and Energy”, the Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland (SDFN) in collaboration with the Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB), Department of Soil & Water Conservation and Department of Power, today made a landmark achievement by organizing World Water Day for the first time in Nagaland State.
After thorough deliberations on the papers presented on the topics, “Kohima Water Study”, “Water and Biodiversity”, “Water, Rain and Data”, and “Water and Energy” respectively, the seminar formulated ways forward, suggesting measures and recommendations for the State Government to adopt as a means to improve livelihood of the people, considering its direct impact on humanity.
The recommendations, amongst others, stressed on the need to conduct research and studies on women and water, quality of drinking water, study of key catchment areas and river ecosystems in Nagaland while calling for revival of traditional water springs and for each village to have vision documents. It further called upon the State Government to have a concrete plan on rain water harvesting system and frame a State environment and forest policy as the national policy in this regard is not applicable to Nagaland State due to a different land holding system.
The seminar also called for the need to check on the random issue of mining license, apart from the development of a policy for equity sharing instead of compensation for land. It recommended that the export of unfinished forest products from the State be stopped, further expressing concern on population explosion and the need for the Government to iron out conflicting policies and the need for land use plan and strategy development.
Addressing the opening session earlier, Chairperson of Nagaland State Women Commission, Dr. Temsula Ao pointed to the alarming shortage of water worldwide while impressing upon water and its importance in the maintenance and wellbeing of the human species. Quoting a Changki saying, “If you have Water, if you have firewood, you are rich,” she related to the past and added, “the streams from which water is being extracted were nurtured almost as sacred sites and guarded by village laws for its purity.”
Stating that our present context of long rows of empty containers begs a host of questions, she asked, “have we been guilty of neglecting to ensure proper distribution of water? Why have we not taken rain harvesting seriously?” She impressed upon that shortage of water can be socially disruptive while elaborating that it could lead to social disruptions. In this regard, she also said, we are faced with man-made shortage and urged that, “we have to introspect and come out with workable solutions.”
Former Chief Secretary and Advisor to SDFN, Alemtemshi Jamir IAS remarked that the only source of water in Nagaland is rain. “We have nothing except rain,” he pointed out while noting that despite meager resources, there are conflicts even amongst us. He said that climate change is a reality, therefore urging on the need to start thinking of policies. “Our immediate concern is how to bring in the legal systems,” he emphasized, while adding that, “our forefathers could make a law but then it’s up to us to make such systems available.”
