Let’s build a green national highway
Yanpvuo Yanfo Kikon: Places like Nagaland in fifty to hundred years from now will become the lungs of the earth. We are the ones who will have the resources (Trees) to generate the oxygen necessary for the very survival of our species. On average, one tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. Two mature trees can provide enough oxygen for a family of four.
Two days back, whilst beat boxing alone in the car and driving down to Dimapur bumping, twisting and twerking my internal organs in our potholed national highway, I came across a scene which suddenly took over my highly exaggerated sense of imagination with mixed emotions of hope, sadness, hope, positivity and negativity as I witnessed the work being executed to finally build our dream four lane highway.
I was filled with hope because if this is completed within the anticipated timeline of three years, this highway will further fuel progress in our State by boosting all sectors particularly the USP of our State - Tourism and Logistics which will support our agro and allied industries. But as I saw trees after trees being felled and destroyed by these huge machinery, the positive vibes were shadowed by the thought of this highway was becoming a graveyard of once beautiful majestic trees that donned our beautiful roadway.
As concerned citizens and stakeholders of this highway, it is our duty to ensure that the construction company executing the project along with the sub-contractors and our Government to strictly adhere to the Green Highways (Plantation & Maintenance) Policy-2015 to set aside one per cent of the civil cost of national highway development projects for the planting of trees in a "planned manner".
Here we need to additionally appeal as concerned citizens with our wishes to push for a plan with an aesthetic vision to plant the most visually appealing and beautiful trees that will enhance the overall experience of riding through this highway. We should aim for our National Highway to be featured among the most beautiful highways in the world.
But for any idea to become reality, it is the duty of each and every single individual to put our words into action by taking ownership of projects that are based on building public infrastructure and community development.
1. Each of us can buy at least 2 Tree saplings (Might cost around Rs.100 only) after consultation with top experts in landscape and garden designs and making our Government authority of National Highways approve the choice of flowering trees and the plantation blueprint. Once the major digging is complete and the road is ready for plantation, on the Grand Plantation Day, everybody can come together and plant these saplings with our own hands and together we can build one of the most beautiful national highway in India.
2. We can send out a appeal addressed to the Chief Ministers Office, Govt of Nagaland, Minister for National Highways that in line with the Green Highways (Plantation and Maintenance) Policy, 2015, the Government also allow the citizens and public bodies whoever wish to take part in this exercise to fix a day during the monsoons to plant flowering and fruit bearing trees along the highway.
3. Citizens can also suggest the most beautiful flowering and fruit bearing trees suitable to our climate that can be put uniformly across stretches for creating mesmerizing visual appeal for the longest duration (Season).
Most of us Nagas only like complaining and whining but this is our chance to stop complaining and actually getting involved to build something beautiful in our lifetime. Thirty years from now, all of us will be old and maybe some of the lucky ones will be driving and beat boxing down this road with your children and grandchildren. That day you will tell them of how you planted these flowering and fruit bearing trees that turned the once pothole and dust ridden roads into paradise on earth!
Naga Freedom Fighters then and now
Kevitho Kera: Then: Villagers voluntarily provided food and shelter.
NPGs now: Intimidates and forces people to give House Tax and Ration Tax. Then: Fought and died for Nagaland.
NPGs now: Sits back and extorts. With the extorted money buys Toyota Fortuner, builds palatial bungalows and acres of land.
Then: Fought with dignity.
NPGs now: Hired on land disputes and use guns to settle land disputes.
Then: The mention of their names commanded respect.
NPGs now: The mentioning of their names brings out disgust.
Then: Treated as Naga Heroes.
NPGs now: Treated as Goondas. Our beloved freedom fighters. Wake up from your slumber. We look upto you. Come back to those ways which were pristine.
