DIMAPUR, JUNE 20: Chakhroma G.Bs Union has welcomed the order of Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur banning use of heavy machineries and mining of sand gravels and boulders in Dhansiri and Chathe rivers with effect from June 1 to September 30.
The union however said, the order should also be made permanent instead of few months and that it should cover other rivers as well. There are five major rivers that pass through the Chakhroma Angami traditional villages, viz. Dzuza River (Popularly called Zubza River), Dzumha River, Khuova River (Khopa Nalla), Chathe River and Tamorui (Dhansiri River), besides other rivulets.
Stating that people depend on these rivers and resources for their livelihood and sustenance, the GBs union in a press note lamented that with the introduction of heavy machineries such as JCBs and excavators for extracting sand gravels and boulders to meet the greed of a few individuals, the riverbeds and resources are being destroyed beyond repair and many villages are adversely affected.
“One of the most glaring immediate effect is that, due to random excavation of the riverbeds, the ground water level has receded so much that most ring wells, are now drying up by the months of March and April every year and the villagers are now facing acute shortage of water where there was once abundance of water.”
The union pointed out that many farmers who depend on these rivers for irrigation of their paddy fields are now abandoning their fields as the riverbeds are being excavated deeply. The union said it is deeply disturbed that the source of livelihood of the majority of people from agriculture is being sacrificed and destroyed due to wanton exploitation of rivers by a few.
The CGBU also expressed deep pain at the incidents where many children were drowned and lost precious lives into the deep pits left uncovered and unmarked by the miners. “So many lives, especially those of children were lost in these pits in the recent past.”
Observing all the factors, the CGBU opined that since rivers are common properties and no private individuals have ownership over them as per Naga custom and traditions, it is the responsibility of every village situated near the rivers to ban illegal activities and to protect the river and its resources within their area.
The union appealed to all the village councils and members to protect the rivers and resources by banning illegal excavation of the riverbeds and also banning illegal hunting and fishing in the areas.
