“To whom will the land belong when Northeast India is developed? In what condition will the land be? What will be the fate of the indigenous people when they will have gone through the process that is proudly called National Development?” These were some of the questions that came in the ‘Consultation on Climate’ that was held at the Presbyterian premises of Umpling, Shillong, on September 9th.
The initiative was taken by Dr. P. B. M. Basaiawmoit and Rev. Rolianthanga Lalsim. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Rev. Laldawngliana was present. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Jowai was one of the invitees.
The resource person, Nobo Kirkhimbam from Imphal, emphasised the duty of every citizen to examine himself about his own contribution to pollution.
While industrial and corporate share in polluting water and air was alarming enough, what escapes notice is the “accumulated damage caused by individuals and small ventures” when they direct the filth they produce into neighbouring water sources and send out clouds of polluted air into human habitations in surrounding areas.
For example, garbage burning, plastic disposal, stone crushing, limestone cutting, house waste clearance… all these and similar activities have a cumulative effect on the water and air that find their way into human bodies.
Nobo drew the attention of the participants to the danger that a high biodiversity region like the Northeast stands of losing its glorious heritage of natural forests and rich vegetation.
It is gradually becoming recognised that the subsoil of the region holds immensely valuable deposits of oil, coal, thorium, uranium, and other resources. The region’s electric potential is the highest in the country.
Many perceptive persons in the region are beginning to fear that India’s Look East Policy and China’s Look West Policy have their eye on Northeast’s natural wealth.
Dr. Basaiawmoit spoke about the falling levels of underground water due to its over-tapping for industrial purposes and overuse for personal needs, and the growth of rubber cultivation and the promotion of other mono-cultural crops.
He pointed out how development projects, mining, and cash-crop cultivation on a large scale keep displacing indigenous people in an unprecedented manner. “Environmental migrants and refugees are increasing in number” he argued.
“At whose cost will National Development be? On whose behalf is it going to be? Who will ultimately own the land of the Northeast?” These are questions that call for serious attention.
He referred to a great anxiety related to global warming that may affect the Northeast region in a big way: if the sea level rises to flood Bangladesh, the Northeast will be the immediate refugee-zone where millions will seek shelter, transforming the region beyond recognition.
Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil proposed the creation of a small team of competent people who will enable to the Government to think intelligently about the future of the region. They should be awakened to a deep sense of responsibility. While the development of economy is important human and social concerns are equally important. “A language of persuasion will serve best in this respect” he affirmed.
He also spoke of the need for educating the public about the immediate and the more remote dangers of being irresponsible in the area of Environment. It would be useful to produce some literature written in ‘intelligible and popular language’ to caution people about the negative consequences of being indifferent or ignorant in this respect.
“The stewardship of creation is a Biblical mandate which we can neglect only at our oWN peril,” concluded the Archbishop.