Thepfulhouvi Solo
I forget the exact year, but sometime around 1980s when Shri. TN. Sheshan, the inimitable future Chief Election Commission of India, the man who in my view for the first time taught difficult Politicians in Power to Respect the Election Commission Rules in India; was the Secretary of Forest, Environment and Wildlife, that sent a Draft of Forest Conservation Act of India to Nagaland with request for its adoption.
Nagaland replied that all the forested lands in the State are in Private Ownership of the Villagers and Jhum Cultivation being the traditional practice of the People on their own Land from time immemorial; difficulties may arise in the adoption of the Act in view of Constitutional Safeguard for the State on ‘Land and its resources’.
Then came a second letter set in light and inviting tone, that the Act is only for the Preservation of Animals and that it would cause no difficulty to the people.During those days, it was quite normal for any Naga to carry naked Daoh, Spears or Sporting Guns and Rifles proudly and openly in the Village or in the public places. It was not viewed odd for any civilians to carry Gun or Rifle in the public; they are known and accepted only for hunting; and the hunting of wild animals in the jungle was a favorite activity of every male Naga. Males, grownup or even young, more often than not, when gathered together in the company of friends any place to while away Time, would narrate tales of their hunting episodes. Any male who have not had hunting experiences were viewed feminine.
To suddenly change such a culture followed from time immemorial of stiff necked Naga, in their own Lands, would be a bit unconscionable to accept, and therefore the State sent a letter again as best as it could, to state that the Act in Toto would not be easy.
When a third letter came from the future Chief Election Commission of India, the happily promoted Secretary Commissioner of Nagaland became a bit concerned and uncomfortable. He called me, then Conservator of Forests, to his Office for consultation and I suggested we fool the Ministry at Delhi a bit by sending a letter to the great Environment Secretary that we would adopt the Conservation Act in all our RESERVED FORESTS AND GOVERNMENT PURCHASED FORESTS and Nagaland had only negligible Government Forests!!!
The Commissioner got the approval of the concerned Forest Minister in the State and the letter was dispatched to Delhi to the great relief the late Secretary Commissioner.
So Conservancy Act of India became applicable to the Reserved Forests, Protected Forests and Land owned by the Government of the State only, not others.
After that, came Central Hunting Rules for adoption in the State and for that the State replied to the Authorities that Nagaland is formulating its own Hunting Rules in view of the peculiar Ownership and Nature of ‘Land and its Resources’ in the State.
Nagas by nature prefer Requests than Orders, but Nagaland was killing too many Wild Animals and Birds than Mother Nature could Re-coup.
Then I worked as Principal Secretary, Government of Nagaland of Forest, Wildlife and Environment until in 2001 when I became the happiest Government Servant to take Voluntary Retirement. I thought Nagaland should not exterminate God’s created Species from the face of the Earth and saw preservation Measures would be better achieved from the Christian View.
Mr. Khrietuo Belho was a quiet youth Member of our Khedi Baptist Church Kohima and also a Student Leader. He is now a Deacon in the Church; I mentioned to him then that it would be good if the Students of Kohima Village could make a Resolution closing shooting of Wild Animals and Birds. The Students did and this is the first time any Youth Organization in Nagaland did such an unpopular Measure in the State. The Kohima Village Youths enthusiastically began to support the measure in the Jungles under the Jurisdiction of the Village, and the Village Council has latterly made standing Rules to fine those setting fire to the jungle and do hunting.
The Khedi Baptist Church began discouraging its favorite food of of Wild Animal Meat in their frequent Church Camps in the Jungle, the Church also went against killing of wild Animals and Birds for Trade. I thought there would be NOAHs among the Naga also.
When Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyü, Pastor Khedi Baptist Church was sent on deputation to the Angami Baptist Church Council as Executive Secretary reluctantly; often we discussed the welcome issue of the Church to encourage the Preservation of Nature and he introduced a Resolution in one of the Annual Council Meetings of the ABCC requesting the constituent Churches to desist Serving of wild Meat at least in the Council sponsored Programs and for Christians not to shoot Wild Animals for Trade. The Resolution was adopted and Copies were sent to other Tribe Associations.
Rev. Linyü while a Member of the Executive Body of Nagaland Baptist Church Council; the NBCC adopted Resolutions for the Preservation of Wild Animals. And in the NBCC Annual Meeting at Rotomi Village, Sümi Baptist Church, for the first time, served Meals without Wild Animal Meat!
Today, the Baptist Churches and Organizations including those of Students, Youth, Village Councils and many Non-Government Organizations actively support Preservation of Wild Animals in Nagaland. Even in the remotest interior Places like Salumi in the Myanmar Border one sees Notices put up by the Student Body prohibiting Hunting of wild animals in their Village Territory.
Today thousands upon thousands of Amur Falcons from all over the Continents of the world migrate yearly to Nagaland and sleep soundly in the Doyand Valley and also other places in the State; and people from all Continents of the World have started to come and enjoy seeing the Falcons rest and sleep peacefully in Nagaland.
Nagaland now needs to produce modern NOAH for prevention of Cruelty to domesticated Animals.
