Some of the tree saplings ready to be distributed in the village for the tree plantation drive being organised by Chakhesang Public Organisation in Phek district commencing June 5, the World Environment Day. (Morung Photo)
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | June 4
“To recognise, celebrate, inspire our rich biodiversity, and to give our concerted efforts to conserve it at all cost for the immeasurable benefits that will be ours in return.”
This is a resolution that the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) made 23 years ago in 2000.
Every year on January 10, which holds significance for the tribe as "Chakhesang Day," the organisation reaffirms its commitment to preserving the district's rich biodiversity.
This year, as Phek district commemorates 50 years of its formation, scheduled to be held on December 21, the CPO is kick-starting the event by undertaking one of the biggest tree plantation drives commencing on World Environment Day 2023.
The initiative will cover over 180 kilometre, 50,000 tree saplings and around thousand volunteers, besides the participation of over 70 Chakhesang villages under Phek district.
The saplings include fruit trees, flowering trees and ornamental trees and being implemented along with all the frontal organisations and the district administration.
Speaking to The Morung Express on the eve of World Environment Day that falls on June 5, CPO President Vezühü Keyho stated:"As an organisation we have a resolution that we will preserve our biodiversity, and we have been propagating and educating our people in this aspect."
While most of the roads being constructed in the district are well built, there are no trees, he noted. In this regard, he maintained that "beautification is our duty" and made the resolution.
‘To our surprise, we received immense response from the concerned citizens and we are particularly thankful to the District Administration,’ Keyho shared.
As an after-care programme, all villages particularly those touching the highway have been given the responsibility, he informed.
"Every village within the jurisdiction of the highway has been given the responsibility to nurture the trees that are to be planted. We are doing this during our time and hopefully, even our successors will carry on the responsibility,” he added.
Meanwhile, CPO Treasurer Rekha Rose Dukru stated that “we do maximum farming but at the same time, conservation is also maximum.”
In the last couple of weeks, the tribal apex body has been distributing saplings across the district, mobilising volunteers, and ensuring that things are in place for the massive tree plantation drive, she said.
Indicating that in the last 20 years, CPO is the only tribal apex body with a firm resolve to conserve the biodiversity, including jungle burning or hunting, Dukru emphasised that the plantation drive is not just for the sake of commemorating World Environment Day but the organisation is also taking measures to ensure that the trees survive by initiating “After Care Programmes”.
Every year, the CPO will be monitoring and recognising the best after care village, she added.
“From the farmers’ point of view, there is no rain and it looks like a bad year. But actually, it is a very good time to set this as awareness,” she noted.
With no rain in sight, the tribal apex body is also hiring a water tanker for the plantation drive to water the identified areas before plantation.
“Climate change is also very visible. It’s hard to imagine that we are using water tankers for tree plantation on June 5. I really hope that people also understand the implications of climate change,” the CPO Treasurer put across.
Looking ahead to a decade from now, however, she envisioned highways in Phek district adorned with a variety of tree species, creating a source of joy for travelers.
In order to ensure the appropriate selection and placement of tree species, the CPO has roped in Dr Sao Tunyi as a technical expert.
The plantation drive has also been initiated in collaboration with the district administration of Phek, Chakhesang Mothers’ Association, Chakhesang Students’ Union and Chakhesang Youth Front.
The goal is to have flowering trees adorning the highway especially in areas where travellers stop or covering some areas with indigenous plants such as mulberry for commuters to just stop and pick, etc.
“We want people to identify that they have reached Chakhesang area once they start spotting these trees. For example, when you see Silver Oak, you are in Sizdü, or when you see Oak tree, you have reached Kikruma,” Dukru further highlighted.
Crowd funding
Villages and individuals within the district have willingly stepped forward to contribute towards the CPO initiative, whether through volunteering their time, making cash donations, or providing tree saplings.
“We are crowd funding the event and besides the Forest Department, individuals and villages are generously contributing to it,” Dukru informed.
Deputy Commissioner of Phek, Kumar Ramnikant also expressed firm belief that the initiative will have a great impact on the future generations, while informing that the response to a ‘just a call’ during the last Phek District Planning & Development Board meeting on May 10, has been “overwhelming.”
With the initiative gaining momentum, Kumar looks forward to the time when all the saplings grow into trees, offering tree benefits for future generations.
In the meantime, he emphasised the need for everyone to own the responsibility towards the environment while pointing out that “it is not a one-person task or the job of one-organisation/department.”
Accordingly, he reiterated the importance of everyone stepping forward and taking ownership of the ensure a future for the environment ‘free from pollution and depletion.’
“We should not take this clean air and water for granted; If we do that, our future generations will raise questions”, he added.
