Let’s go wilder than just planting trees

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) started observing the World Environment Day (WED) on 5th June every year since 1974. The WED was celebrated and observed across Nagaland starting from the 4th of June due to the day falling on a Sunday in this predominantly Christian populated state. As the usual WED activity the state witnessed a huge plantation drive led by the state machinery, NGOs, churches, institutes and various other groups. Some also undertook cleaning their localities and the streets with some conducting seminars and other awareness programmes. All activities commendable no doubt and to be encouraged among the youth.

However, this year’s theme for the WED is “Go Wild for Life”, a slogan against the protection of wild life due to illegal trade. The rise in illegal trade in wild life is disturbing the biodiversity planet Earth with some species on the brink of extinction. UNEP reports that, “Eco-crime hits record high at up to $258 billion, outstripping the illegal trade in small arms, as international criminal gangs and militant groups profit from the plunder of Earth’s resources.” It is also on a 26% higher than previous estimates. Based on this year’s theme the UNEP suggests everyone to create awareness and measures to help safeguard any animals or plants under threat of extinction within one’s local area.

Nagaland has its due share of famed flora and fauna some unique to the state and already threatened. International days like the WED are the right time to sensitise and educate the people especially the youth of our local wild life and the ones that are endangered. Not only for game but illegal trade in wild life really exists in the region. There is a failure to educate, and as long as it is considered just as a game the common man do not see it as an illegal trade punishable under the law. There are also reports of un-monitored and illegal trade of plants of medicinal values in the region but the in-depth study of our biodiversity still in its nascent stage in Nagaland thereby resulting in lack of effective enforcement.

Not devaluing the efforts of the participants from the state who observed WED, but it is good to be in tandem with the rest of the world. By doing so it is also always easier to get the right resources and the various toolkits available on the Internet in line with the theme chosen. An exception was that a school in Old Showuba, Bethel Baptist School got the theme right. Another notable mention is the Fingerprint team that finds benefactors to adopt the birds and animals at the zoological park at Rangapahar, Dimapur. Hopefully with the MET department forecasting more rains in the next few days and a better monsoon this year all the saplings planted on the WED will survive.

The media in Nagaland also failed to spread the news but it is never too late because we can make everyday an environment day. Let’s all go a bit more wilder than just planting trees.