Incidents of forest fires is not just a phenomenon unique to Nagaland but it is a world wide concern causing alarm to helpless people caught in the inferno. Every year during this time, we have forest fires devastating large tract of natural resources. Forest fires can be deadly for human inhabitants such as Australia’s deadliest wildfires a few years ago which killed over 200 people and destroyed vast hectares of prime forest land. At that time scientists pointed out that global warming contributed to conditions that fuelled the disaster. That climate change is indeed a grim reality is evidenced by the record dry wave that is being witnessed across many parts of Indian including in Nagaland. And in fact the State’s department of Forest, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife had come out with some pointer based on interactions with local farmers suggesting a marked change in the climatic patterns that have come to affect our local farmers agricultural calendar. While climate change could be one part of the problem, our environmental concern as well as awareness among the people is lacking.
When it comes to forest fires it is not so much a case of nature spewing its venom on a helpless man but rather man with his inept sense facilitating the destruction of Mother Nature. In fact setting fire to forest and other’s landed properties should be considered as a crime against humanity. In most cases, it is the anti-social and irresponsible people who indulge in such action. While it is true that it will be very difficult to detect such criminals, much more effort is needed of all concerned to find ways in dealing with this crime. In fact some of the district administrations and village councils have from time to time instructed the public to carry out traditional slash and burning operation with strict supervisions so that the fire cannot spread to places other than the clearing areas. However all such notices have failed to solve the problem why? Several government orders and notifications have come out to take action against forest fires such as cancelling grants to village development boards (VDB). But whether all this is being implemented in letter and spirit is a big question mark. At the end of the day there is no doubt that more needs to be done to prevent forest fires.
A recent notification from the Ministry of Forest & Environment, Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim is something that looks different from the usual government orders and perhaps the State Forest Department could emulate some of the points. While banning the burning of jungle, the directive states that perpetrator shall be fined with a sum of Rs. 20,000/- and 50% of the total amount exacted as fine shall be awarded to the village authority or any individual who reports the matter along with the identity of the perpetrator to the concerned authority. However failing to report, the village council authority/village authorities shall be held responsible and a fine of Rs.10,000/- only shall be imposed. It is not that the State government is doing nothing but whether it is doing enough and effectively dealing with the problem is the question. More effective measures and proper enforcement is needed. Besides this for the long term what we need is a holistic awareness campaign on safe environment practice where schools and colleges should be involved. The government should disseminate information capsule (in the respective local dialects) on safe farming methodology so that Naga farmers who are closest to nature are able to live in harmony with nature while enjoying the benefits therein. Along with this at the community level, the youths in particular should be involved in prevention efforts. People must be educated and disciplined into becoming law abiding citizens. This will solve a lot of crime and anti-social related problem.
