Kohima, 23 March (MTNews): While participating in the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, first-time MLA and NPF Chief Whip Achumbemo Kikon highlighted the alarming increase of elephant corridors in the state and pointed out that the Governor’s address makes no mention of a long-term policy to address the issue.
“Herds of elephants destroy paddy fields and take human lives every year. There is no mitigation to this. So I feel that there needs to be a long-term policy. We have to consider whether we allow elephants to survive or humans to survive,” Kikon said.
He further stated that the department only gives farmers Rs 10,000-20,000 as compensation for damages despite the fact that farmers near the interstate boundary gets impacted by the human-animal conflict.
As a result, he questioned what choice the farmers have if they are forced to vacate their paddy fields and abandon agriculture, which is their primary source of income.
According to him, around 200 of the state’s 400 elephants are believed to be free ranging in the area.
“The increasing elephant corridor in the state is a major concern as it increases day by day,” he said, urging the government to work out policies to mitigate human-animal conflict in the state.
He also emphasized on the dire need to actively pursue an honorable, acceptable and inclusive solution to the Naga Political issue.
Stating that an early solution was not just beneficial for the Naga People but also for the centre, as it would pave the way for the development of the entire North Eastern Region, he urged the Central Government for an early solution.
Kikon also stated that integration of Naga areas is the birthright of the Naga people and pointed out that there is not a single mention in the Governor’s speech regarding integration of Naga homeland. He added that Naga people have been divided without their consent and knowledge.
He also expressed his concerns on the upcoming ULB election and said that it would be wise to delay the ULB elections in the State until a clear consensus was reached with all the stakeholders and civil society organizations.