The real Nagaland lies in its villages. These rural heartlands are the cradle of Naga identity, culture, and community. Yet, they are fast disappearing, particularly the far-flung ones. This decline is deeply worrying, not only because of the loss of population but also because it threatens the very fabric of Naga society.
One of the main reasons behind this shrinking rural population is migration. Many young families leave their villages for towns and cities, primarily for better educational opportunities for their children. Alongside this, economic factors weigh heavily on villagers. Subsistence agriculture, once the backbone of village life, no longer provides a sustainable livelihood. Without economic incentives, young people see little reason to stay.
The demographic situation adds another layer of concern. Unconfirmed reports from Mokokchung suggest that many villages have recorded more deaths than births, a trend that, if it continues, could lead to numerous villages being deserted by the end of this century. Some villages have even begun offering financial grants to families with four or more children to counter the population decline. Others have resorted to setting up old age homes to care for elderly residents whose families have moved away.
For Nagas, villages are not merely places of residence. They are the bedrock of identity and culture. The erosion of village populations thus threatens to alter Naga society in fundamental ways. If these trends continue unchecked, we risk losing much more than just homes; we risk losing the essence of who we are.
It is imperative that policymakers, community leaders, and citizens come together to create sustainable economic opportunities in villages, improve rural education and healthcare, and strengthen community ties. Only by addressing the root causes of rural decline can Nagaland hope to preserve its villages and protect the future of Naga identity.
