Ranjan Roy, Mokokchung
Despite massive deforestation, Nagaland still has a large tract of land under forest cover. The undulating hills and the greenery all around make Nagaland a very picturesque state. Whoever visits Nagaland is captivated by its breath-taking scenic beauty.
However, the dark green foliage is deceptive. It hides an unpalatable truth. Wildlife in Nagaland is on the verge of extinction. Many species have disappeared altogether. The animals that survive are on the endangered list. When dawn breaks, hills always echo with the songs of birds. Ironically, the arrival of dawn in Nagaland is not accompanied by the twittering of birds. This is because there are very few birds around. Even common birds such as sparrows are a rare sight. There is a saying that crows dare not venture beyond the border between Assam and Nagaland. If they do, they pay with their lives for their folly. Exotic or migratory birds are rarely sighted in Nagaland.
One of the reasons for this alarming decline in the wildlife population in Nagaland is the deeply entrenched tradition of hunting. Nagas are notorious for their passion for hunting. Many homes prominently display animal skins and heads as trophies on their walls. Those who go on hunting expeditions roam the forests with guns slung across their shoulders. Anything that moves is fair game for them. They return home with their kill gloating over their marksmanship. Youngsters hone their shooting skills by hunting hapless birds. With catapults in hands, they give chase bringing down birds with deadly aim.
It is quite common to see throngs of customers haggling over the price of a dead deer, squirrel or rabbit in the marketplace. These are highly prized as a delicacy and fetch huge sums for the sellers. The slaughter of animals and birds will continue as long as there is a ready clientele willing to splurge.
The problem is further exacerbated by government apathy and a lack of political will. There is hardly any initiative worth its name to protect wildlife and their natural habitat. Every year, Hornbill festival is held at Kohima with great fanfare. The purpose of this festival is to attract foreign as well as domestic tourists and give them a glimpse of the rich Naga tradition and culture. But what is the current status of this splendid bird? How many of them still survive in the wild? There was a time when the traditional headgear of a Naga youth would be adorned with the colorful feathers of the hornbill. Nowadays original feathers can be replaced by fake ones. This in itself is a proof of the fact that the bird will be as dead as the dodo in the near future unless urgent conservation measures are initiated.
Nagas have an abiding passion for music. They live, breathe and dream music. It is astonishing why they are hell-bent on silencing the strains of divine melody created by birds. It is imperative to inculcate in children a healthy respect for life. They must be taught that all forms of life are sacrosanct. They must be sensitized regarding the food chain and the importance of each animal in the pecking order. A world without birds and wild animals will be a bleak place and catastrophic for humans.
