A field in Nagaland with a batch of crops in poor condition. (Morung file Photo)
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Calls for policy shift towards ‘modern’ jhum cultivation
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 26
MLA Achumbemo Kikon raised matter pertaining to environment and climate change during Zero Hour at the 8th session of the 14th Nagaland legislative Assembly in Kohima on March 26.
As chairperson of seven-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Committee on Environment and Climate Change, Kikon said that the committee has been also engaged with the public in undertaking spot verification, inspecting some of the stinking dustbins and also the rivers across Nagaland.
He said that Nagaland state faced escalating threats as temperatures projected to rise and more precipitation fueling extreme rains over 100-millimeter/ day in Phek, Tuensang and Kohima.
Stating that one amongst them is, of course, uncontrolled jhum cultivation, he said “ We cannot totally do away with it. Because our forefathers practiced jhum cultivation as a part of our life, not only survival.”
For this, he said, we also cannot totally do away with jhum cultivation. “But we should also find a policy, find a mechanism, how to give an alternative, a better way, a modern way of doing jhum cultivation.
Stating that environment and climate change is a pressing issue concerning the whole world, he said “If it is not checked collectively, it would be detrimental to our health more than before, besides our mother earth will be more vulnerable to meteorological and hydrological calamities.”
India is faced with the challenge of sustaining its rapid economic growth while dealing with the global threat of climate change, he said adding that India's average temperature has risen by around 0.7°C during 1901-2018.
On Nagaland context, he said, in urban hilly areas, the streams and springs are used as dumping place where plastic wastes are disposed off and sewage from pipes which are major source of pollution in streams and rivers leading to severe ecological, environmental and health consequences.
He said that the adverse impact can be visibly seen where huge plastic waste are dumped in the tributaries from Kohima, Zunheboto and Wokha were being carried down and accumulated at Doyang Reservoir and every time the government agencies, local populace and CSO are tasked to clean it up, involving large resources.
He stressed that mandatory direction from the government is crucial for town and adjoining village councils to enforce plastic waste cleanliness drive twice every month; to stop dumping in the streams; to designate dumping place and to maintain plastic free zone.
He said that the two primary source of freshwater rivers Chathe and Dhansiri rivers supposed to supplying the whole Dimapur with clean, accessible water for daily consumption and the home of variety of aquatic life are now polluted and contaminated.
The Chathe River has been primarily polluted by domestic sewage from Medziphema and Chümukidema, along with dumping of debris from highway constructions, sand mining and gravel and boulders extraction.
“All these have contributed in restricting its natural flow and impact the water quality. The river is said to have classified under priority IV for pollution, requiring immediate action for management and rehabilitation. The Dhansiri River as seen and learnt is that it is severely polluted primarily by unchecked domestic waste, municipal solid waste disposal and sewage directly entering the river, it is learnt that the NPCB has classified the river's pollution level under high risk category,” he said.
He said that sand mining, gravel extraction, river bank toilet should be ban and restricted. The high way construction authority should also be made accountable.
Touching on coal mining, he said that ever since the coal mining act came into being, the poor and ignorant villagers are being exploited, adding “ Their cultivable land and only livelihood source since from the immemorial time has been destroyed and snatched forcefully from their hands. The mining activity has only helped the contractors at the cost of the innocent rural populace now for the rest of their life.”
It is seen that rampant and unregulated rat hole mining is occurring at Mokokchung, Mon, Longleng, Peren, Tuensang, Dimapur and Wokha causing major water and soil degradation, he said.
The coal mining at Wokha and Mokokchung districts alone has caused damaged more than 2 lacs hectres where more than 15 villagers thrive on the given region. Besides, more grievously, it is estimated that more than 100 open mined pits/ rat holes are lying without backfilled and exposed to all risk of safety and further contamination, he said.
He said that the coal mining act should be either totally revoked or keep on hold till necessary reamendment are affected again.
