Madovei David
Asst. Professor, St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama
Looking at our present scenario of science existence among the Nagas, we cannot say we have seen necessary changes among ourselves through it nor we expect at the near future considering the various hurdles prevailing around. And we tend to think its difficult because its a subject for us and that if we take up science for higher studies we will have a better scope is what I hear people whisper around which is not true at all.Citing a line by the great Albert Einstein, “Try not to become a man of success but rather be a person of value.” Everyone has their own prospect of dealing life but very few deals with those things which they are passionate about. With the rapid growth of population there is the demand of space and resources leading to intensive exploitation of Mother Nature, and those resources in our villages passed down from our ancestors are merely surviving. Years from now we are all aware that we will be limited with natural existence but we keep on destroying our environment for the pure intention of living a better life. But can we have a good life without nature? Are we teaching our children about it? We can proudly say that they are persevering the best education in the world but what will be the value of all those if there is no mother nature. We have destroyed the major forest population; we have killed most of the animals and are continuing to do so with pride. What are we leaving for our future generation besides the skills of how to destroy our environment? Can we eat the money once all the nature is gone? All those qualification would prove futile too. Later people with the most natural resources will be the richest.
Let me highlight some man made changes around us:
• The temperature is getting warmer
• Fresh waters are drying up.
• More droughts and floods are occurring.
• Air pollution.
• Ice caps are melting.
• The air is more humid and dry and often we experience weathers which are not expected in the season.
Likewise we can context lots of calamities around the world. We get to hear all those fact incidents and ignore them with a line and gesture as ‘what a sad news’. Not forgetting that we also curse people when calamities hits and there are no one who comes with a helping hand. Obviously Science is doing wonders in advancing lots of technological aspects while at some point it is also contributing in blunders that are not appreciably causing hazards. Considering the harmful effects of chemical waste with that of non-chemical wastes, the time needed to degrade and fossilize for chemical wastes is way much longer and harmful as well. And some of these radioactive wastes take millions of years to decay just causing damages around its surroundings. Noting the fact that scientists are working on better recycling and they are even getting positive results on them but observing at the vast advanced pollution it has caused to the environment it will take years and resources to clean them up.
I believe we can put ourselves in the prospect that we are really blessed to dwell in a green environment where abundance of resources are really at our disposal and the opportunity to do research be it in the field of medicinal or any other beneficial subjects is at large. We are also blessed to have weathers where temperature is suitable to grow any vegetation and sustain any life-forms (both aquatic and non aquatic) or adequate rainfall to support them. Taking the advantage they can be also turned into tourism for people living in plain areas to have holidays and enjoy true nature thus benefiting people and creating employment. Thus to have those thoughts turned into reality our mindset of preservation and eco-friendly lifestyles has to be developed. We need nature and nature needs us. One has to balance the other for long lasting environment. Besides yearning for leaders to serve humans we should also elevate and choose leaders who support and educate people about our mother nature. We can also learn lessons from country like Bhutan which is the only carbon negative country in the world having similar landscapes like ours. They are even further working to improve more in their environmental statistics. Thanks to their leaders and their supporting citizens too.
I believe it is time for us to come to realisation and preserve our nature. More encouragements and education about Mother Nature should be imparted wherever possible and take up practical step by each individual. I believe we still have the chance to save our Mother Nature, Science may bring some remedy but it cannot suffice for all especially us, who depend almost everything on agricultural and other natural means; it is not too late. I believe of a future where we will live an organic natural life, a life where nature is serving us at its best because we just took the simple step of preserving them. Let us nurture nature for a better future.
