Our Correspondent
Kohima, August 7 (EMN): Over 400 villagers participated in yet another plantation drive organised by Jakhama Youth Organisation (JYO) on Saturday in Jakhama, a village within the Southern Angami region situated about 17 km away from the state capital.
The plantation drive involved participants from all the eight khels of Jakhama wherein about 600 saplings were planted in each of the respective community forests.
Kevithüto Sophie, Kohima senior superintendent of police, while declaring the plantation drive open at campsite Yedikha during a brief saplings distribution event, reminded about the threat posed by man-made climate change globally. He cited an example of how temperature has increased in Siberia after wildfire engulfed innumerable acres of forests, which otherwise was a cold place.
The officer also apprised the participants how some trees in Kiphire district of Nagaland had stopped bearing fruits owing to the rising of temperature. Likewise, he feared that slowly different species might become extinct from the natural world if people do not take necessary actions.
Sophie, therefore, called upon all concerned in the village to come together and shoulder responsibility towards conserving natural resources for the wellbeing of everyone. He also urged to plant more trees to develop an ecological balance while banning hunting and killing of animals and birds and restricting removal of rocks from the rivers.
Kekhüsezo Zao, JYO president, informed that varieties of saplings including alder, oak, variegata, pine, cherry, yongchak and Christmas tree were planted across the village. Initiated by JYO, he also informed that altogether, 6,000 trees have already been planted in Jakhama this year so far.
Zao apprised that community forests in Phema, Viwora, Nyibvu and Yabayo have been already declared reserved forests in the village.
Vimhaseo George Richa, a member of Phema clan, informed that as part of the JYO's initiative, they were also planting the saplings in different locations where there was less vegetation in their community forest.
Richa, who is also JYO Vice president, informed that other groups have positively participated despite the heavy downpour to pursue a "greener and environmentally friendly village".
Earlier on World Environment Day this year, Dr. Kelühol Tase informed Eastern Mirror that JYO has formed 'Jakhama Sustainable Village' with the goal to protect the environment while promoting agricultural activities and eco tourism in the village.
Tase informed that there would be tree plantation competition every year, adding that during such competition, 10,000 saplings would be planted in different places across the village for which "best maintenance awards" would be given.
Tase also apprised on the proposed potato festival in Jakhama, which was deferred to a later date owing to the Covid-19 situation.
Campsite Yedikha, Foothill Home Stay, Dzükopü Home Stay and Dzükou Valley Retreat are some of the facilities managed by the youth to promote tourism in Jakhama. It was informed that a Rhododendron Park would soon come up in the village.