Challenges for an environmentally sensitive development
Nepuni Piku
This paper is written for the 50 years anniversary of KMC, to provoke creative discussions and share ideas for our city/town dwellers and planners. The contents are not researched but exploratory, much to do with sharing of experience of some other mega cities confronting urbanization onslaught today
Kohima: then and now
Giving a description of the capital town of Nagaland state as it was in early 1944, David Rooney in his Cassel Military book ‘Burma Victory’ Imphal and Kohima (March 1944 to May 1945) writes ‘Kohima, an attractive little town, (was) situated on a ridge of small hills approximately half way along the road from important rail and supply depot at Dimapur to the larger garrison town of Imphal. Although it lay on a high a ridge (about 5000 feet) it was surrounded by massive mountain ramparts rising, like Mount Puliebadze on the southwest, to more than 10,000 feet. The Dimapur road, as it approached Kohima, climbed a steep hill and passed the site of the Indian General Hospital (IGH Spur). The Deputy Commissioners bungalow, in its attractive, spacious and colorful grounds, dominated the centre of the town. These grounds like most of Kohima, had been terraced, with a substantial drop between each terrace – so at different levels, there were the DC’s bungalow, Tennis Court and the Club. The bungalow looked south over a series of small hills which had recently been developed by the army as a supply base: first Garrison Hill; then Kuki Piquet; then the Field Supply Depot (FSD), where there were several more substantial bashas (bamboo huts), with, for example a row of large ovens; finally the Daily Issue Store (DIS)….. the local Naga people who lived in the well-defended hill-top villages in the surrounding area …were to play a significant part in the Battle of Kohima.’ Looking back one can imagine how Kohima has grown from a small strategic town during the Great wars to what it is today, more than 60 years later into one of the most important scenic, populous and flourishing townships in the region.
The growth and expansion of the township has been much more rapid in the past quarter century doubling (in) its size, consuming the nearby villages and transforming the landscape steadily, composing itself from a rural based to a more suburban entity. How will Nagas or for that Citizens’ of Kohima respond to the ever entrenching process of urbanization. One has to learn and take experiences from the more similar but advanced towns and cities of the world to improve on our development strategies to avoid chaotic growth, avert disasters, sustained ecologically and economically. Though Kohima as an emerging mega town or a future city has not yet reached that point of real crisis yet the impending threats are reaching a pronounced level.
Nagaland in general and Kohima in particular as its master city, need to evolve a realistic framework in order to attain a healthy and sustainable urban development. The increasing pressure of populations leading to haphazard growth of unplanned clusters of colonies; the increasing destruction on the forests biodiversity (flora & fauna) leading to acute shortage of water; lack of strong waste management (bio and non-biodegradable) policies; despoliation of fresh water resources due to abuse of nature and unhealthy agricultural practices of using chemical based product (fertilizers & pesticides) for increasing food productivity, local stream fishing and washing, etc causing toxic elements to enter into food chain leading to emergence of new health concerns; increasing motor vehicles causing traffic congestion, vehicle waste (chemicals & air pollution)increasing stress level leading to both physical and mental ailments besides contamination and degradation of the local environment; uncontrolled dumping of concrete structures threatens ecological balance on a geologically young and vulnerable space; unplanned growth of housing and colonies creating havoc in sewage and sanitation maintenance; erratic disposal of waste and weak management of sewage and solid waste leading to disturbance of local ecology ( for instance plastic waste clogging the nearby streams which often leads to land instability besides exacerbating mudslides ); over indulgence in unhealthy food and drinks (chewing paan, drinking spurious black marketed liquors) increasing low adaptative capacities to the fast emerging changes in lifestyles and street culture; lack of adequate proactive youth moulding spaces such as creative arts, sports centers and other creative public recreational centers; rising status consciousness and the increasing consumerist life styles and the emergence of health problems (such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, obesity, stress related sickness, etc); continuing large migration from the local villages in search of continuous increased income and access to comforts of urban areas causing overcrowding; unaccountable use of power supply causing power wastage impacting on the economy; massive unemployment of youths due to untenable attitude to work culture with prevalent negative notion for exercise of ‘freedom’ as ‘no work chalta hai’; existing preposterous attitude towards women limiting their active participation in socio-political life of the community; etc, are trends (cause & effect) leading towards a chaotic growth syndrome unless the development process is consciously intervened, controlled and managed.
The progressive movement from traditional agrarian economy towards a modern state-centric development economy has brought about much transformation in the society. However in the process, Nagas have also lost out on the social, environmental and cultural fronts. Centuries long preserved forest surrounding Kohima has been laid bare defaced of its natural beauty today without thinking what will happen to the people of the township in the next 50 years, in the craze for accumulation of money and consumerism. Introduction of monoculture species for commercial purpose and the untenable attitude of looking at forests just as timbers have eaten into our rich biodiversity reserve which still remains to be properly tapped. The rich biodiversity wealth both flora and fauna are rapidly been decimated due to uncontrolled abuse, through rampant consumerism for the exotic and co-modification of this pristine common resources, with more heads joining the fray to enter the status conscious urban comfort zone. The web of life has been endangered and signals for environmental regression are visible in the day today life with basic needs of the citizens running short in a place of plenty. Many ancestral artifacts and items of cultural importance has been pirated by many outside explorers or given away to administrators as gifts by selfless locals as gestures of hospitality and friendship or sold for quick money without much valuing of the cultural wealth. The fast transition from a self-sustaining village economy to a more open competitive monetized township economy has led to many undesirable drift such as the craze for the rupee for its purchasable power, increasing poverty and widening disparities between have and have-nots impacting greatly on the traditional egalitarian society. However without preserving the health of the land, people and culture, the uniqueness of its identity is likely to be threatened. Therefore the need of the hour is to explore sustainable ways whereby the quality of life of citizens can be improved through their active and informed participation with minimal environment degradation and destruction to the mountain ecology, accountable financial institutions and responsible local government.
Some of the most recent problems been face by the town are issues like acute shortage of drinking water, vehicular traffic congestion, lack of decent town center or high streets, congested and bad roads, unplanned erection of concrete high rise building with its irregular shapes and heights changing the skyline of the township impacting on its landscape beauty and many others. These problems are not just exclusively experienced by the citizens of Kohima alone but by any growing township throughout the developing world. For this, it will be worthwhile investing time and resources on learning the experiences of similar towns or larger cities which are centuries older than Kohima and those that are in the thick of urbanization forest.
Asia urban transition
Nagaland geographically, culturally, ecologically and racially has more affinity towards what constitutes today’s Southeast Asia. The development experiences and peoples attitude may vary widely but considering that this sharing of experiences from the regions may be an eye opener which maybe of help once reflected together. John Laird in his book ‘exploring new paths towards sustainable development’ explains how ‘Asia as a whole is undergoing an urban transition in which 1.24 billion are forecast to be added to its urban areas from 1995 to 2020 – an increase of 103 per cent. Some 51 per cent of Asians would thus live in urban cities centres by 2020.The proportion in 1970 was 23.4 per cent and in 1995 some 36.6 per cent of Asians lived in urban centres. The urban transition for southeast Asia looks even more dramatic where the region is forecast to add 190 million people to urban are for the same period bringing 52 per cent to live in urban areas by 2020.Speaking on this historical social transformation, the then executive secretary of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(ESCAP) stressing on the need for action to be taken on cities immediately to avoid very serious problems in the coming decades stated ‘mega-cities, unless managed efficiently, bring with them levels of environment degradation which push to the limits their ability to sustain human life.’ Government, various agencies, NGOs, concerned individuals and media have to focus on the problem now, on an urgent basis.’
Experiences from mega cities
The following are experiences, some problems and some mitigation plans, of mega cities in Asia and Americas, for all concerned including policy makers and town/city planners to study, explore, reflect and emulate wherever possible within the needs and demands of public interest for a sustainable city development.
Bangkok Experience: ‘Thailand’s capital Bangkok today faces extreme urban challenges such as traffic gridlock, overcrowding, air pollution, growing slum settlements, and foreboding water shortage. This unresolved problems increasingly threaten Thailand‘s economic future, not to mention the health and sanity of the capitals population’. The question of how to use land is at the centre of Thailand’s dilemma with its cities and town. ‘The issues of land acquisition and land use are issues of serious concerns. It also stirs controversy throughout the country. Land used wisely, with foresight, will set the foundations for improved health and sustainable economic growth far into the future. One thing is certain: government must intervene in the land development process to ensure sustainable development. Intervention means rational planning and its enforcement- something that has not mixed easily with Thailand’s free-wheeling, individualistic culture. Rational planning and broad political commitment, and land use policies need to be fair and not biased towards any particular group.’ Planning efficient transportation requires a vision far into the future of what a healthy, efficient city should look like. Despite the ‘sky-train’ project and construction of more elevated highway may have eased travel to some destinations; it has given more access to cars to the city center leading to further congestion and pollution.
Delving into the Bangkok Plan, the question raised is like will it get rid of the traffic jams, the pollution and the overcrowding? The following sequences offer a simplified answer. There can be:
• No end to traffic jams (and pollution) until vehicle numbers are reduced;
• No reduction in vehicle numbers until efficient mass transit schemes are in place;
• No efficient mass transit schemes built without a clear idea of where communities will live and work in future;
• No possibility of creating healthy sustainable living and working communities until rational land-use planning and basic infrastructure development takes place’
Singapore Experience: It has a daily refuse collection system. The policy for solid waste management is to incinerate all incinerable wastes that are not recycle-able, reusable or recoverable and all incineration plants are fitted with flue gas cleaning devices. It aims for less wasteful society by encouraging waste minimization and all waste water is collected and treated before discharge. Energy in form of bio-gas is recovered at all the treatment works. All development projects needs Environment Impact Assessment certification. Land use planning such as zoning into residential, recreational, and other use to ensure compatible uses of adjoining land parcels are undertaken. Strict emission monitoring standards to stabilize the emission of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and others as its industry continues to grow. Promotion of extensive network of cycling tracks to link mass rapid transit and bus stations, commercial centres, and neighbouring centres to nearby residential areas for commuting purpose. The Green plan declares that the physical environment should not suffer because of strong economic growth and rapid urbanization. Large tract committed for conservation of natural environment, maintaining balance between land allocated for development and land set aside for green areas and open spaces. Action plan for green Singapore (1993) wherein the government recognizes the ‘pro-active population’ that will conscientiously keep the environment clean is the way to proceed. It will have to move away from punitive measures to discourage pollutive practices and have in their place environment friendly attitudes on its people.
Maringa (southern Brazil) Experience: ‘Large scale planting program was started from the beginning but there were so many trees that a problem arose: the night-time street lighting was obscured. The city opted for unique solution by lowering the whole lighting system below the canopy of its urban ‘forest’. The administration has also given priority to creating the possibility of mass community participation in sports. Nine sports centres are maintained, serving 20,000 people of all ages. Striving to develop a city administration that is responsive to the needs of development, the Mayor of the city, created the post of city manager, thus separating political functions from administrative ones, giving more time to the mayor to guide city development policy at a high level, and to keep in touch with the peoples wishes.’
Designing a green future:
The implementations of the urban development concept need cooperation from the people who live in it including its major players. The designing of modules can involve for instances, architects, property developers, environment officials, local administration and civil society groups can cooperate to draw up plans for small-scale model eco-development project. The issues of land acquisition and land use are crucial for any such initiative to take place and needs to be addressed with all seriousness. Local government financial structures are often under pressure to keep up with growth of the urban population and are often supplemented by outside financial institution to augment their initiatives for infrastructural development and others. However, fair deal needs to be negotiated with private outside investment firms before their entry so that space for exploitation is checked, mechanism for accountability is put in place and control is vested in the local people.
To facilitate a pro-active involvement of the people for creating an environment friendly town or city, the local municipality or development authority has to create its own Environment Affairs Bureau or environment specific task force within their administrative component, that which is transparent, participatory, accountable and responsive, to research, educate and promote consciousness on the importance of going green maximizing the inherent ‘social capital’ available within the Naga society. Some of the action needed for a future green Kohima are: Improved daily collection of waste and disposal; Active afforestation campaigns and proper drainage system to provide clean air and water throughout the year apart from containing frequent mudslides; promoting indigenous plant varieties suitable for our soil and ecology and discourage introduction of unknown species in the traditional forested zones; advocating for mass rainwater harvesting; rigorous monitoring of defacing and pillaging public properties beside promoting community service stunts to defaulters; investing on tried and tested ornamental plants for beautification of localities; intensifying combat polythene menace campaign; promoting use of recycle paper by investing on waste paper recycle plant; collection centre for plastic and bottles for recycle, reuse or permanent incineration; adequate solid waste management policy and proper incineration plants with latest equipments for safety; reduction of open defecation through construction of more public utility wash rooms around highways, colony, city centres, etc; improving network of drainage canal for treatment of water before disposal into the open downstream; community participation for management and restriction of reckless poaching (reduction of small arms amongst the civilian population) and controlled harvesting of local flora & fauna; opening zonal markets to decongest town centres and maintaining a no-drive-in zone in high street areas; promoting sports and music centres to engage youths; parks and open space for relaxation and de-stress activities for senior citizens and picnics for children; Encouraging improvement over the existing haphazard township besides designing new model areas should be taken into consideration by assigning specified high rise design and construction manual; exploring and construction of more road networks to town centres or work centres, improving local roads through widening and proper management of traffic; undisturbed pedestrian footpaths and subways; encouraging citizens to use more often public transport services and evolving policy for monitoring strict emission reduction measures and timely phasing out of old vehicle and investing in less polluting public carriers like electric trams (like Switzerland) or sky train for the future; encouraging more cycle bikes and cycle route for harmonious health and pollution free ride; promoting gender sensitive space to give women more responsibility and rights in the management and development of a progressive city; encourage improvement and promotion of Naga cuisine and putting into place a food bazaar; De-emphasizing on excessive and uncontrolled use of pesticides and synthetic manures and promotion of organics; etc
This beautiful township has experienced a turbulent history of violence starting ‘the battle of Kohima’ towards the end of British India administration until today with the (Nagas) search for JustPeace continuing to remain illusive, awaiting a lasting settlement. The questions raised in the agenda for peace and development, Nagaland Human Development Report 2004, includes such as ‘How do we bring peace? How do we prepare our society for a life in peace? are crucial for the Naga society. The changeover from conflict to peace takes a lot more than rhetoric’ as the report mentions. The agonizing battles fought surely had devastated the populations and the towns’ properties during the II world wars, yet the unconquerable spirits of the peoples remained, rebuilding Kohima to what it is today. This resilient nature gives hope for nurturing the expanding township where a humane and open society is firmly established, transforming itself into an eco friendly city of the future Nagaland. Like any large township in a developing world, Kohima will surely have its shares of local dilemmas and constraints however, the urge of its citizens is how to consciously and determinedly develop Kohima into a people friendly, green city with fresh air, clean water and clean land with a serene environment providing space to peoples unquenchable thirst towards the noble and aesthetic persuasion, besides achieving a vibrant economy with a just democratic political system.
