Communities urged to combat climate change

“If you were wondering why many parts of Nagaland has been experiencing erratic rainfall, sometimes very heavy in short spells or scanty rainfall for long periods, drying up of streams and water sources in dry season, increase in temperature, then your answer probably would be that these are some visible signs of Climate Change (CC) in Nagaland. Who could have imagined the use of Air Conditioners (ACs) and even fans in Kohima 10-15 years back,” remarked Elusing Meru, secretary, forest and environment, government of Nagaland.

Taking part in the panel discussion on “Trends of Nagaland” telecast on DD Northeast Sunday on the topic “World Environment Day”, Meru commented the theme “Green Economy: Does it include you” as one that is in line with India’s approach to have a low carbon inclusive growth for the 12th Plan which recognizes that policies for CC mitigation affect the objectives of development such as poverty alleviation, improvement in quality of life and the local environment.

He said communities whether rural or urban have to be involved to combat Climate Change. In both urban and rural areas, water conservation needs to be actively practiced. In urban areas, water harvesting structures should be mandatory for all new constructions. At the same time, all existing households to be encouraged to construct water harvesting structures.

Meru said that in most of the rural areas of the state, shifting cultivation or Jhum is the main agricultural practice and part of the Naga way of life. However, to combat Climate Change strategies such as minimizing burning of felled material, conserve minimum number of seed bearing or mother trees and cultivating in the same plot of land for two or more seasons can be adopted.

In urban areas, the public transport, drainage and roads to be improved so that people are encouraged to use public transport.
The public could also walk and use cycle for short distances to be eco-friendly, Meru opined. Meru implored the people of the state stating that the beautiful landscape and the rich biodiversity of our land have to be conserved for our today and for our children’s tomorrow as we derive our livelihood from it.

Kimiyekato Shohe, vice president, Forestry Graduate Association of Nagaland (FGAN), who also took part in the discussion said that one of the contributors to global warming are Carbon dioxide emission from fossil fuel burning power plants, Carbon dioxide emission from burning gasoline for transportation, Deforestation for fuel wood, increase in usage of chemical fertilizers on croplands.

Shohe informed that since the state has about 11.70% forests under its control and the remaining 88.3% under Private/community ownership, community plays the key role in environmental protection and conservation.

He informed that due to climate change in Nagaland there was an increase in minimum temperature of more than 1.6o C in districts of Wokha, Zunheboto, Tuengsang and Phek. In Mon district increased by 1.4o C. Shohe also informed that droughts are likely to increase by 25% – 50% in 2021 – 2050’s.
These changes can cause a loss in diversity of species, agricultural production, he added. Putting a check to the age old practice of shifting cultivation, creating biodiversity zones and reserve forests can help reduce this risk, he said.

Also taking part in the discussion, Khrielievi Chusi, president, Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) said with the exigencies of time and the changes that have taken place due to CC, the organization had stepped in to “rekindle our beloved land into a surviving history” thereby protecting the verdant flora and flora in Angami land.

Realizing the importance of protecting the flora and fauna of the land, Chusi recalled that the AYO adopted certain standing resolutions in its meeting with all the villages in August 2010 where it was decided that every village in Angami land shall protect and preserve forest and select a particular area and designate it as Community Reserve forest to maintain ecological balance.

Stating that jhum cultivation should not be encouraged as it has contributed to huge loss of forest cover, Chusi suggested that the Government give a serious thought and work out modalities to encourage practice of paddy fields which are mostly practiced by the Angamis.

The panel discussion was hosted by senior journalist and TV presenter K.V. Nurumi and repeat telecast of the programme will be shown on DDK, Kohima in its local transmission at 6pm Sunday.