The Govt of Nagaland initiated a people consultative meeting dated 20th June 2009 Kohima represented by Council of Ministers, Naga Hoho, ENPO, NSF, NMA, and Naga tribal Hohos; a resolution passed on the issue of encroachment in Ntangki Reserved Forest wherein the meeting resolved that the general public, including the Tribal Hohos, the NGOs and civil societies should extend full support, cooperation, to the Govt in the effort to take up pro-active action against all forms of encroachment in the Govt Reserved land and forest. I believe this initiative taken up by the Govt is a great awakening of the Naga people for action toward protecting the environment with the consciousness of restoring the damaged ecological balance. In pursuance of the resolution, it is imperative to create general awareness and information about the importance and moral obligation of the Nagas to protect and preserve our forest in the act of restoring and saving the environment. Environmental issue must be seriously considered as people’s movement for sustaining life and an initiative for creating hope for the future generations.
Our planet earth is posing serious threats to human survival due to ecological imbalance created by humankind in the process of deforestation for human habitation, occupation, consumption and modernization based on economic oriented purposed and greed based action. In the global scenario, our world is experiencing a strange climate change; global warming, depletion of Ozone layer and frequent occurrence of natural disasters everywhere tells the message that our planet earth is being greatly affected, damaged by human excessive utilization of natural resources without much realizing that the counter reaction are causing danger and inconveniences to human habitation. The fact that, our earth-Home is being endangered and we are all responsible for our action. Concerned that, we Nagas must take serious steps in considering the impact of the global situation on our people while fighting and struggling for a nation status and as a people. We are to take every precautionary measure to protect our lives, land and forest. No Nation can sustain without caring the lives of our people, land and environment. Our people, land and forest are the essence and sole reason of our nation. Concerned that, in order to act out our role toward protecting and preserving our people land and environment, we are to find out and ascertain the cause of environment degradation and strive together for restoration and for healing of our land. There are Natural causes and man-made causes. Let me stress on man-made causes, which I feel is the most damaging one. Deforestation, killing of animals for food and pleasures and exploitation of forest for personal economic gains and greed-based extravaganza occupation of land. Theses developmental human activities have greatly affected the ecosystem. Therefore, It is our people concern and responsibility to put our earnest effort to prevent further destructive activity in the interest of the whole Naga nation and people. The Universal declaration of Human Responsibility, Art 7. States that, “The animals and the natural environment also demand protection. All people have a responsibility to protect the air, water, and soil of the Earth for the sake of present inhabitants and future generations”
Concerned that the Ntangki Reserved forest be protected and preserved as the pride, hope and for the home of animal’s species, which are our inter-related and interdependent creatures providing or part of the ecological balance. It is surprise to know that, much of the forest have been exploited, deforested for human occupation by encroachers which when considered are only for extra possession besides the homes plots in their villages, districts, and state. It is informed that many animal and plants species have been extinct. The fear that, we Nagas as a people may also cease to exist or extinct as a race lest we forget our responsibility to preserve and protect our land and environment. We tribal Naga people must act our rights to protect our land and forest as in time past living in close attachment with the nature. As the saying goes, “Care for nature, cure for mankind” so let us altogether preserve God-free given nature and live in accordance with the laws of Nature. We Nagas and our land are blessed with God’s protection from all natural calamity or disasters. God save our land. Let us not destroy our selves and land by random exploitation of natural resources available for our sustenance.
While considering the present situation, it is imperative that We Nagas must uphold our traditional rights over our land and protect it for and in the light and interest of the Naga Nation. That every Naga tribe should protect and preserve their own Village, district or people land and we must see to it that, we extend our support to each other’s tribe in protecting the land from foreign intrusion. Concerns that, the Ntangki Forest being the common concern of the Nagas in matter of environment and ecological implication, which lies within the Zeliangrong Country traditionally belonged to the Beisumpui Zeme Village, the Zeliangrong people are prompted to extend, support and cooperate to the Govt. initiatives in the effort to take up pro-active action against all forms of encroachment in the Govt Reserved land and forest. Accordingly responding to the call of the Govt. and out of Peoples’ obligation to protect their land and its forest, the Zeliangrong People commences a forest movement in the general interest of the whole Naga nation.
In my personal conclusion, about the Ntangki Forest, it is not a tribal issue neither private one rather it is the common issue of the people to be taken care of by the concerned Government and the people. Therefore, let us keep Ntangki safe for the present and future generations,
Our planet earth is posing serious threats to human survival due to ecological imbalance created by humankind in the process of deforestation for human habitation, occupation, consumption and modernization based on economic oriented purposed and greed based action. In the global scenario, our world is experiencing a strange climate change; global warming, depletion of Ozone layer and frequent occurrence of natural disasters everywhere tells the message that our planet earth is being greatly affected, damaged by human excessive utilization of natural resources without much realizing that the counter reaction are causing danger and inconveniences to human habitation. The fact that, our earth-Home is being endangered and we are all responsible for our action. Concerned that, we Nagas must take serious steps in considering the impact of the global situation on our people while fighting and struggling for a nation status and as a people. We are to take every precautionary measure to protect our lives, land and forest. No Nation can sustain without caring the lives of our people, land and environment. Our people, land and forest are the essence and sole reason of our nation. Concerned that, in order to act out our role toward protecting and preserving our people land and environment, we are to find out and ascertain the cause of environment degradation and strive together for restoration and for healing of our land. There are Natural causes and man-made causes. Let me stress on man-made causes, which I feel is the most damaging one. Deforestation, killing of animals for food and pleasures and exploitation of forest for personal economic gains and greed-based extravaganza occupation of land. Theses developmental human activities have greatly affected the ecosystem. Therefore, It is our people concern and responsibility to put our earnest effort to prevent further destructive activity in the interest of the whole Naga nation and people. The Universal declaration of Human Responsibility, Art 7. States that, “The animals and the natural environment also demand protection. All people have a responsibility to protect the air, water, and soil of the Earth for the sake of present inhabitants and future generations”
Concerned that the Ntangki Reserved forest be protected and preserved as the pride, hope and for the home of animal’s species, which are our inter-related and interdependent creatures providing or part of the ecological balance. It is surprise to know that, much of the forest have been exploited, deforested for human occupation by encroachers which when considered are only for extra possession besides the homes plots in their villages, districts, and state. It is informed that many animal and plants species have been extinct. The fear that, we Nagas as a people may also cease to exist or extinct as a race lest we forget our responsibility to preserve and protect our land and environment. We tribal Naga people must act our rights to protect our land and forest as in time past living in close attachment with the nature. As the saying goes, “Care for nature, cure for mankind” so let us altogether preserve God-free given nature and live in accordance with the laws of Nature. We Nagas and our land are blessed with God’s protection from all natural calamity or disasters. God save our land. Let us not destroy our selves and land by random exploitation of natural resources available for our sustenance.
While considering the present situation, it is imperative that We Nagas must uphold our traditional rights over our land and protect it for and in the light and interest of the Naga Nation. That every Naga tribe should protect and preserve their own Village, district or people land and we must see to it that, we extend our support to each other’s tribe in protecting the land from foreign intrusion. Concerns that, the Ntangki Forest being the common concern of the Nagas in matter of environment and ecological implication, which lies within the Zeliangrong Country traditionally belonged to the Beisumpui Zeme Village, the Zeliangrong people are prompted to extend, support and cooperate to the Govt. initiatives in the effort to take up pro-active action against all forms of encroachment in the Govt Reserved land and forest. Accordingly responding to the call of the Govt. and out of Peoples’ obligation to protect their land and its forest, the Zeliangrong People commences a forest movement in the general interest of the whole Naga nation.
In my personal conclusion, about the Ntangki Forest, it is not a tribal issue neither private one rather it is the common issue of the people to be taken care of by the concerned Government and the people. Therefore, let us keep Ntangki safe for the present and future generations,
(Dennis Elung is a social worker and public leader Peren District Nagaland)
