Churches resolve to conserve biodiversity

International Day of Biological Diversity celebrated at Nito Mount

[caption id="attachment_250484" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Members of Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network and Nagaland State Biodiversity Board pose for a group photograph on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day programme on May 22 in Zunheboto.[/caption] Dimapur, May 22 (EMN): Altogether 147 churches under Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (SBAK), Nito Mount, have resolved to protection and preservation of the biodiversity. The resolution to this effect was taken on the occasion of International Day of Biological Diversity on May 22 held at Nito Mount, Zunheboto, jointly organised by SBAK Nito Mount in collaboration with Nagaland State Biodiversity Board on the theme “Our biodiversity, our food, our health.” More than 300 participants from 147 churches under SBAK including pastors, village chiefs and council chairmen attended the programme with the Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto, Shanavas C, as the special guest. Speaking on the occasion, the DC emphasised on conserving the bio-diversity for sustenance. He was of the view that nothing will change as long as we only speak, eat and forget after observing such event. He strongly felt that the coming generations would curse them if they fail to conserve environment. He applauded the organisers for adopting a resolution to protect and preserve biodiversity by the churches. He also stated that the government alone cannot do much to effect change unless there is public participation. He also spoke on the importance of ban on hunting. While viewing that ban on hunting cannot be stopped all of a sudden, he stated that it could be achieved with perseverance and dedication from the public. He stated that we would be termed selfish if we only think only about the present without thinking about the future generation. Savinuo Kikhi, Forest Ranger Officer, in her keynote address, spoke on the meaning of biodiversity, causes for the loss of biodiversity which included deforestation, development activities without proper planning, over exploitation of resources, jhumming, use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides etc. She also highlighted on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Biological Diversity Act 2002 and said that International Day of Biological Diversity is celebrated across the globe to create awareness and educate people on its importance. She urged the gathering on the need to work together as a team and help one another. Nuklu Phom made a presentation on how one should manage the rich biodiversity even without the help of the government and showed various activities done by his village led by the village chiefs and students in managing biodiversity. He lamented that Naga people in general are too lazy to stand on their own feet and work but only wait for the government to do something for them. He urged the gathering to start with what they have and to stop looking only at where they are but focus more on where they can be. The programme was chaired by Katoli, secretary of department of women ministry SBAK, while Rev. Hukugha, SBAK executive secretary, Nito Mount, delivered the welcome note and the concluding remarks from Ivan Zhimomi, team leader of Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation & Livelihood Network. He was also the main person behind the successful conduct of the event. Special song was presented by staff of SBAK Nito Mount.