“A Journey of Learning and Dialogue” was envisioned by NEN Nagaland and Green Hub to create a platform/ space to initiate discourse and dialogues with communities using creative mediums/ visuals to rethink about the future through sharing of experiences, learning from the past and the current; to reinstall the value of our identities, that is deeply entangled with that of the Earth’s ecosystems, and that we are a part of nature and not separate from it, which many of us have forgotten. The journey also bridges the generational gaps – bringing together the elderly, youths, men and women of communities to share their vision for the future.
A team of 8 from NEN and Green Hub along with volunteers made the journey which started on 28th February 2022 and covered 6 villages in 3 districts of Nagaland. The journey concluded at the annual Biodiversity Festival, NEN Chizami, Nagaland on 9th March 2022. The key highlights of the journey consisted of Community Film Screenings, which led to discussions and dialogues with the participating communities and the team and cultural performances.
Films by the Green Hub team “Strength in Diversity” and “Just Like our Grandmothers” by Chentei Lam Khiamniungan; “Rearing Giants” and “Insects (Stink Bugs)” by Thejavikho Chase; “The last wilderness” and “Friends of the Farmer” by Pelevizo Meyase along with NEN films “Seeds: Foundation of Life”, “Water Matters: the plight of women and children”, “Health in Indigenous Food”, “Food from the wild” were screened.
The most positive outcome through this has been the communities’ interest and willingness to learn, understand and express openly on the issues of climate, environmental, cultural changes seen and felt within their own communities through their sharing and discussions. The villages still have rich biodiversity and are consciously trying to hold on to their unique cultures yet they also expressed the challenges in doing so in the present context of modernisation and a pressing need for cash.
The Covid-19 Pandemic exposed the impact of environmental degradation and destruction leading to an increased risk of pandemics. It was felt harshly by people across the world but especially by marginalised communities. In the context of Northeast India the issues on food security were very visible, especially for urban settlers leading to large-scale reversed migration back to rural areas for shelter and food security, while rural farming communities who had access to their natural resources stood more resilient. The pandemic also displayed that with collective strength our communities have the potential to take action and work towards a more resilient, sustainable future that is founded on ecological security, equitable growth and community well-being.
