Land Use Pattern and Conservative Measures: A Case Study of Longkhum Village, Mokokchung District, Nagaland

Abstract

Land, a natural and renewable resource, is a gift of nature. Land may be defined as “a sum total of the natural resources over which the possession of the earth’s surface gives control”. The concept covers the earth’s surface, building sites, farm soil, growing forest, mineral deposits and water resources. Land supplies all the basic needs of the people. It is the basis for the production of food and raw materials; it is also the source of income, employment, economic security and power. Land which is single to all human kinds is, however a distinctly a limited resources. The land use pattern is an important theme in all aspects towards environment. Land use pattern is conditioned by the association of two sets of factors: Firstly, a physical factor such as geology, relief features, climate, soil and vegetation which limit the use capabilities of land. Secondly, cultural factors which include both economic and institution. Land use thus deals with the problems involved in conversion of land from one major use of another general use. The pattern of land use of a country at any particular time is determined by the physical, economic and institutional framework taken together. The time, methods and intensity of land use together with large number of environmental factors determined the potentials as well as long term sustainability of land productivity. Traditionally, Ao-Nagas do Jhumming, hunting and trapping of wild animals for domestic use, medicinal values and festival purposes. This trend still continues despite the Government enacting Wildlife Protection Act. At present some Village Councils and NGOs has initiated conservation of wildlife in their village jurisdiction. Longkhum village has rich and varied heritages of biodiversity owing to its varying physiographic, geo-climatic conditions and large forest cover. However, in recent times due to agriculture, logging, expansion of settlement areas, random hunting and trapping, and unplanned project and promises in the name of development has affected the land leading to degradation of environment. This study aims to find conservative measures and suggestions to minimize the adverse effect on environment by the activities of the people in the village so that the balance between nature anddevelopment remains stable.