DIMAPUR, AUGUST 31 (MExN): The Sümi Hoho today became the latest in the scores of organisations that have expressed opposition to the proposed implementation of the Forest Conservation Act 2023 within the boundaries of Nagaland State.
A press release from the Sümi Hoho, while recognising the importance of environmental conservation, however expressed concern about the potential ramifications of the Act on “age-old traditions, cultural practices, and sustainable livelihoods of the Sümi community.” Our apprehensions stem from the intricate relationship that exists between people and the natural world, which has been cultivated over generations, it stated.
The Sümi Hoho pointed out that the Sümi people have been “stewards of the land, practicing responsible resource management, including shifting cultivation that is deeply embedded in our cultural ethos.” We are wary that the provisions of the Act, which focus on stricter regulations surrounding forest access and resource utilization, may inadvertently disrupt our harmonious coexistence with nature, it said.
It stressed that the Sümi people’s way of life, including traditional agricultural practices, holds profound significance not just for livelihoods but also for identity as a distinct indigenous community. The Forest Conservation Act 2023, if implemented without due consideration of customary practices, has the potential to erode the cultural fabric that has been nurtured by the Sümi people for generations, it stated.
It asked the Nagaland State Assembly to reject the implementation of the Forest Conservation Act 2023 within the state's jurisdiction. The Sümi Hoho further asked that the Assembly takes into account the potential consequences of the Act on indigenous rights, customs, and way of life. “Our aim is not to undermine environmental preservation but to ensure that the pursuit of conservation aligns harmoniously with the preservation of our cultural heritage and the well-being of our people,” it added.
The Sümi Hoho meanwhile said that it remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to strike a balance between environmental preservation and the preservation of indigenous traditions.
