Akangjunla
The towering buildings and infrastructures in the land which once was the habitat of exotic plants and animals, and bird species is a disheartening sight. The memories of local Cherry Blossoms and wild Sunflowers growing effortlessly along the gateway to many Naga villages have given away to concrete retaining walls, commercial structures and multiple-lane road constructions. Common plants like broom grass, which was found in abundance all over Nagaland are now a rare sight. Not many Nagas grew up knowing that broom grass has a direct impact on preventing soil erosion.
Clearly the implementation of development projects with the promises of economic growth has come at the expenses of the Mother Nature. The one visible attainment is the few jobs claimed by the landowners in the scale of grade-III or under. While the infrastructures remain empty or non-functional due to complexity of challenges, environmental sustainability takes a back seat, pausing growing concern for the present as well as the future generations.
As a community of indigenous people, Nagas are born farmers from time immemorial. Regrettably, Nagas are gradually losing even the control over its food sovereignty in the gamble for development. Today, Nagas are transcending into a new economic paradigm of progress with the hope for a better tomorrow. No harm in doing so. However, the discourse to build the capacity to achieve economic self-sufficiency must set in motion. Participatory development should be the motivation. Development without the prospect of growth and wellbeing for the future generation might not be the best strategy.
The value of Naga Peoples heritage, property and natural resources reside richly on their ‘reserve forest’ and traditional lands. The peculiarity of the law of the land, in other terms, their right to self-determine development gives a precondition for Naga Peoples to effectively contribute and achieve their own set of sustainable development goals. The right to landownership comes with the ability to flourish the ancestral territory and therefore, it should prove to be an asset for the collective community. Unfortunately, the right to landownership has not been played well or delivered to the advantage of the collective community. The lack of understanding the basics of sustainable living and development, and self-indulgence in seeking compensations have left the earth broken by humankind itself, without comprehending that human life depends on it for livelihoods, if not for survival.
Development is multidimensional and so are its impacts and consequences. It cannot be defined on just one particular line. And yet, if the dreams of the better tomorrow come in the shape of flood, drought, landslide and climate change, then definitely development for the Naga Peoples needs a new meaning. Perhaps, there is a greater need to go back to the self-determined development modeled by the Naga ancestor of engaging the entire community in the process of dialogue and decision making, with a deeper understanding of the relationship between development and ensuring protection, conservation and growth of nature. This might possibly bring healing to the earth of the damage human race have inflicted for years and sooner or later, secure a resilient, self-sufficient and flourishing land.
Comments can be sent to akangjungla@gmail.com
