April 23rd, 2017

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www.morungexpress.com

sUnDAY • April 23 • 2017

DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 109 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends Mehbooba to meet Modi as threat of Governor’s rule looms

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

T R u T H

— Baltasar Gracian

Children in Amur Falcon countryside celebrates Earth Day

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o F

I-League: Aizawl beat Mohun Bagan in crucial tie

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new study says Jhum cultivation not adverse to ecology A SASRD-NU project on jhum impact assessment asserts shifting cultivation is most sustainable agricultural practice for Nagaland Imti Longchar Dimapur | April 22

trying to encourage farmers to take up other alternatives instead of jhum cultivation while advocating for methods like integrated farming system. The comprehensive study, while attempting to prove the popular hypothesis on the adverse effects of jhum as erroneous, also reveal that Naga method of jhum cultivation is inarguably the most elaborate and more innovative farming system when compared to other jhum practices around the world. “Within a hectare of jhum land, a Naga farmer grows more than 40 crops annually. Within this incredible space economy, the farmers employs a variety of cropping practices like stratified, canopy, sequential, mixed cropping etc. This is the most sustainable and innovative mode of farming which involves community effort,” Professor Sapu Changkija, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, who heads the study on the jhum impact assessment told The Morung Express in an interview. According to the study

A new study undertaken by the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SASRD, NU is debunking the claim that the practice of jhum or shifting cultivaNo consession, No paki,full tion is the main cause of payments only..kee kwa degradation of soil fertility ?No,its not my shop,but the and the ecosystem. market is mine!” The project titled- “Impact assessment of jhumming on plant and soil microbiota and restoration of sustainable jhum agro-ecosystem in North East India,” maintain that jhum method of cultivation is the most sustainable form of agriculture and best suited for specific topography of a state like Nagaland. Jhum have long been blamed for the deleterious effect on the local environment creating ecological imbalance, rapid drying up of small water sources, and loss of productivity of land DiMApUr, April causing reduction in family 22 (MexN): The NSCN income and enhancement (IM) informed on Satur- of poverty in absence of any day that it has resolved subsidiary income. The Nagaland State to reduce the 24% Employee Tax for Nagaland government has also been State Government employees to 12% which is 1% of monthly salary all over Nagaland. “In view of the plight of the common Naga people KABUl, April 22 (reUTerS): to ease off the burden At least 140 Afghan soldiers were of tax payer the office killed by Taliban attackers apparently of the Collective Lead- disguised in military uniforms, offiership dated the 13th cials said on Saturday, in what would April 2017, the GPRN be the deadliest attack ever on an Afhas decreed that hence- ghan military base. One official in the northern city of forth 24% Employee Mazar-i-Sharif, where the attack ocTax is reduced to 12 % i.e 1% of monthly salary curred, said on Saturday at least 140 all over Nagalim,” the soldiers were killed and many others press release issued by wounded. Other officials said the toll MIP NSCN (IM) read. was likely to be even higher. They spoke on the condition It also informed that all of anonymity because the governtaxation by way of “dealership” is invalidated. ment has yet to release exact casualIn this connection, the ty figures. The defence ministry said NSCN (IM) has “re- more than 100 soldiers were killed or quested every responsi- wounded. The attack starkly highlighted the ble individual to co opstruggle by the Afghan government erate with the authority.” and its international backers to defeat

NSCN (IM) reduces ‘Employee Tax’ to 12%

A jhum field at Meluri area under Phek district. A new study by SASRD-NU claims that shifting cultivation is most sustainable agricultural practice for Nagaland. (Photo by Chizoko Vero)

findings, the jhum system of cultivation in Nagaland is divided into seven (7) category based on cropping pattern, depending on different areas or community practices. For instance, in Eastern Nagaland, the harvest pattern of crops in a jhum field begins with beans and tapioca among other plantations in the month of January and February, millet in May, June, maize in July and August, common vegetables in September

and October followed by rice paddy and colocasia during November and December. “Unknowingly or knowingly, we get more harvest or income when compared to settled cultivation,” Prof Changkija contented. The study also claim that, contrary to arguments of soil infertility, the practice of jhum, which include the process of burning, does not compromise the soil at all but stimulate rapid regeneration of vegetation.

During the burning of a jhum field, only 10-15 cm of top soil are burnt which stimulates the microbiota (bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi and viruses) and plays an important role in scarification effort, Prof Changkija pointed out. Scarification means weakening, opening, or otherwise altering the coat of a seed to encourage germination. Prof Changkija however stressed on the importance of maintaining a cycle of at least eight (8)

years and above on practice of jhum on a particular land, while for alder based farming system, a four-year cycle or more would be appropriate. This finding indicates that the earlier 15–20 year cycle of shifting cultivation on a particular land practiced by the ancestors displayed ingenuity of possessing economic and environmental rationality for ecological sustainability. Also rebutting the claim that jhum cultivation had drastic effect on the decrease of forest area, Prof Changkija said the main disturbance of forest has been due to rampant logging practices for one and the state government’s failure to control the practice of un-demarcated cycle of jhum cultivation. “If we look at our tradition, we did not disturb the whole forest, we had village community forest, sacred forest, village reserve forest, clan reserve forest and individual forest… jhum cultivation was practiced only in a demarcated area,” he maintained. Of late, deforestation due to wasteful form of land use with too many jhum cultivations is witnessed in areas falling under Mon, Longleng, Kiphire and Tuensang districts, Prof Changkija however admitted. But, there are no

cycle disturbances by jhum in districts like Mokokchung so far, he added.

Discarding jhum may dislodge value of Naga community effort

At a time when a number of farming villages has been trying to depart from jhum cultivation and embrace integrated method of farming, Prof Changkija fears that this may emerge into a cultural burden and dislocate community effort, which has been the kindling of the Naga ways of farming. “Jhum has all been about a democratic and traditional mode of farming for the Nagas. If we discard this, it may disrupt our culture…,” Prof Changkija observed while pointing out that even though integrated farming may be more lucrative, our topography and culture does not allow it to be a sustaining form of farming. In days to come, under the integrated method of farming, not all families would have suitable plot to farm like that in a jhum practice and this will disrupt the very foundation of Naga culture. “It is not without basis that the whole tradition and calendar year of the Nagas are based on jhum farming system,” he pointed out.

Taliban attackers kill at least 140 soldiers at Afghan base Tamil Nadu’s bizarre idea to stop evaporation

‘Present government doesn’t allow free media to grow’

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New Delhi, April 22 (iANS): The current government is not letting the “alternate media” -- organisations run by ‘liberal’ media persons -- grow, as they are critical of the establishment and stand by the marginalised, eminent journalists said here on Friday. Speaking at the Jamia Milia Islamia’s event ‘Ainaa 2017’, themed “The Other Side”, veteran journalists spoke about the differences between working for “corporate” media houses and the free media spaces. Senior journalist and political editor of The Caravan magazine, Hartosh Singh Bal, said: “The alternate media is getting into a resource crunch. This government is not going to allow its sustainability. Neither are the entrepreneurs looking into this sector.” “One cannot be a journalist and work in the corporate or mainstream media, which is a disheartening situation. We all have grown very scared of the word ‘liberal’.” Seema Mustafa, founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Citizen, an online news portal, also spoke on the same lines and said journalists of the present times will have to face many

challenges. “Real journalism involves standing up for the marginalised, the victims, and at the same time standing by the Constitution of India. And one has to oppose everything that can come in the way to report them, including the government,” Mustafa said. Addressing scores of journalism students of Jamia Milia, Mustafa asked them to choose between “mainstream media which has power and money, or real journalism - which is facing tough times”. Madhu Trehan, co-founder of digital media portal Newslaundry, also said the present government had been successful in managing the media. “This government is far more clever in cutting the press, even if you are mildly critical. It is frightening,” she said. The event was part of the annual media festival by the Department of Convergent Journalism in Jamia Milia. The students also showcased their work on topics they said “the mainstream media generally chooses to ignore”. Documentaries, projects and photographs produced by the students were also shown at the festival.

a Taliban insurgency that has gripped Afghanistan for more than a decade. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited the base on Saturday, and in a statement online, condemned the attack as “cowardly” and the work of “infidels”. As many as 10 Taliban fighters, dressed in Afghan army uniforms and driving military vehicles, made their way into the base and opened fire on mostly unarmed soldiers eating and leaving a mosque after Friday prayers, according to officials. They used rocket-propelled grenades and rifles, and several detonated suicide vests packed with explosive, officials said. Witnesses described a scene of confusion as soldiers were uncertain who the attackers were. “It was a chaotic scene and I

didn’t know what to do,” said one army officer wounded in the attack. “There was gunfire and explosions everywhere.” The base is the headquarters for the Afghan National Army’s 209th Corps, responsible for much of northern Afghanistan, including Kunduz, a province which has seen heavy fighting. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Saturday the attack on the base was retribution for recent killing of several senior Taliban leaders in northern Afghanistan. On Saturday, the U.S. military command in Kabul said that an American air strike killed a Taliban commander, Quari Tayib, on April 17. Eight other Taliban were also killed the strike, according to a statement by the command.

CheNNAi, April 22 (iANS): The Tamil Nadu government’s attempt to cover the water stored in Vaigai Dam in Madurai with thermocol sheets to prevent evaporation shows the officials lack of knowledge about water cycle and ecology, said an environmental activist. On Friday Minister for Cooperation Sellur K Raju inaugurated the programme to cover the vast sheet of Vaigai Dam water with thermocol sheets at an outlay of Rs 10 lakh. According to an official in the Public Works Department (PWD), the idea was to spread the thermocol sheets on 200 sq metres of water surface on a trial basis to prevent water evaporation. The official said the idea is to study the plan first and if the results are positive then the plan could be expanded. However soon after the thermocol sheets taped together were laid on the water surface they reached the shores and

some even broke. “The plan shows the lack of scientific knowledge of the water cycle. Water evaporation is a natural process and is part of water cycle. Why should one try to prevent the natural process,” G. Sundarrajan, an environment activist with Poovulagin Nambargal, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working in environment area. “Secondly thermocol is harmful if ingested. If fishes or birds eat the thermocol then it will cause major harm to them,” he added. He said floating thermocol in the water stored in a dam and expecting them to stay at one place is foolish. Officials said the water stored in the dam is the main source of drinking water for Madurai city and preventing the 1.2 mcft (million cubic feet) evaporation loss per day is important.

“We have so many reasons to give thanks to the lord”

New Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto, largest Baptist church in Asia dedicated K. Filip Sumi Zunheboto | April 22

Deemed to be the largest Baptist Church in Asia, the Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto (SBCZ) standing at a height of 1864.9m above sea level located at 26.01 ºN and 94.50ºE with a seating capacity of 8500 persons was dedicated on Saturday by the General Secretary of Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI), Rev. Dr. Solomon Rongpi. The total height of the building stands at 166’ft equivalent to 9-storied building and a total length of 203’ft and breadth of 153ft’. The building has a total plinth area of 23, 73, 476’ sq.ft with 27 rooms including the main hall. The building also houses a prayer room, conference hall, two lifts, sick and children room, library, cafeteria and dressing rooms for bride and groom. Presenting a gist of the building construction, Chairman NCBC, Kiyelho H. Yeptho said the electricity is backed by 500 KV digital generator which is reportedly the first in northeast. He said that the Herman (USA-JBL) sound system and stage lighting supplied from USA which was installed by Lodhuram Toshniwal & Sons, Kolkata and Crescendo Dimapur was one of the finest in the northeast. The building is also equipped with fire-

A view of the Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto as seen on the day of dedication on Saturday. (Morung Photo)

fighting equipments. The Church bell weighing 500 kilos was made in Poland. The building was designed by Honoholi of M/S AKITEKTURA, Dimapur and engineered by M/S MAP PROJECT Services Pvt Ltd Kolkata. Presenting financial report of the building, NCBC Finance Secretary, Vihoshe Muru said Rs 32 crore approximately has been spent so far and the final construction cost would reach Rs 36 crore. Mao Flower Growers’ Association, Mao Gate donated 12, 823 pieces of fresh cut flowers for decorations during the

dedication programme. Delivering the dedication sermon, Rev. Dr. Rongpi said the SBCZ could be the biggest Baptist Church in Asia since the biggest Church though not a Baptist was the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea with a seating capacity of 25, 000 people. Talking about the current situation in the country, he pointed out that various extremist activities were taking place under the present central rule. He expressed shock and confusion at the government’s initiative to take control of all

100 MBBS seats at CMC Vellore which he said was against the constitutional provisions for minority religions to run institutions in their own convenient ways. “The government wants to take away all 100 seats for which the court hearing is already held and order will be out on Monday,” he added. Rev. Dr. Rongpi also spoke about the New Education Policy which makes yoga and Sanskrit compulsory in educational institutions. He said many people have been killed due to vigilantism and moral policing of anti-Romeo, protection of cow etc. “However, at all times and no matter what happens, when inside the Church, we have so many reasons to give thanks to the Lord,” he said by drawing reference from the Bible, Psalms 100. Earlier, he inaugurated the Church building and also administered the Act of Dedication to the congregation. The Sunday School Department SCBZ presented the inaugural spotlight while the Church Choir and other groups presented special numbers. The dedication programme was attended by prominent leaders including NBCC General Secretary, Zelho Keyho, CBCNEI Finance Secretary, Vikato, Principal TTC, Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo, former Chief Minister, K.L. Chishi and others. The church construction commenced on May 7, 2007 and completed on March 31, 2017 cost Rs 36 crore for its construction.


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April 23rd, 2017 by The Morung Express - Issuu