A Looming Water Crisis in Nagaland: The Importance of Protecting Our Natural Water Reservoirs
Nagaland, a state in North East India, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity. However, a pressing issue threatens this natural beauty - the rapid depletion of its water resources. The Dzkou valley, surrounded by the Japf Range, Paona Range, and northern Manipur mountains, serves as a vital water tower for Southern Nagaland and northern Manipur. This article explores the consequences of the destruction of this water tower and the urgent need for conservation efforts.
The Role of Forests in Water Supply
Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the water supply system. They act as rain magnets, attracting heavy rain clouds and increasing rainfall. Approximately half of a forest's composition is water. The rain that falls on these forests is absorbed by the soil, flows underground through rock networks, and recharges groundwater, springs, and rivers throughout the year. The peat soil in the Dzkou valley acts as a giant sponge, storing large volumes of water.
Threats to the Water Tower
Over the years, the water tower has been under threat due to deforestation, forest fires, unplanned construction, quarrying, jhum cultivation, tourism, and extraction of forest peat. These activities have disrupted rainfall patterns, leading to flash floods and water shortages. The current scenario in Kohima, the state capital, is alarming, with many households relying on private water supply systems.
Implications for the North East and Beyond
The water scarcity in Kohima is a warning sign for other regions in the North East and even broader India. If measures are not taken to conserve the water tower, water shortages will soon affect the villages at its foot. Moreover, the tourism industry, a significant contributor to the state's economy, relies on the preservation of forests and proper water supply.
The Path Forward
To ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations, it is crucial to protect the source of our water. This involves strict demarcation of construction-free zones, proactive management of quarrying activities, and identification of forest corridors for wildlife migration. Villages and social organizations around the Japf and Paona ranges must take the lead in these efforts.
The Government, too, has a role to play. It must develop a vision to streamline the water distribution system and implement plans to conserve the forests. By doing so, we can sustain our population with clean and abundant drinking water.
The fate of our children's future depends on our actions today. Let us show dignity and love for our land by taking measures to protect the forests that sustain us.