sentinelgroup@gmail.com
Impact of Deforestation on Climate Change
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to express my concern about the growing issue of deforestation and its serious link to climate change. Trees play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, yet forests are being cut down at an alarming rate for urbanization and commercial use.
This large-scale deforestation is contributing significantly to rising global temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and loss of biodiversity. It is high time that strict laws were implemented to protect forests and promote afforestation. I hope this letter will draw attention to this urgent issue and encourage both authorities and citizens to take immediate action.
Karanjit Das
Gauhati University
Drought crisis in NE
Wherever eyes go today, one only finds cracked fields, burnt seedlings, dry riverbeds, and dwindling water sources in most of the Northeast states. Sadly, the region, which was known for its lush greenery and abundant rainfall, is now grappling with the unexpected drought and water crisis. With the monsoon season progressing, all eyes of farmers are on the skies with hopes of rain, which is the major deciding factor that will influence the food security of people of the region. Assam, whose agrarian economy is heavily reliant on monsoon rains, is now facing a shortfall in rainfall. At least 21 districts of the state, where mid-July is a critical period for paddy sowing, are struggling with a decline in rainfall. The continued lack of rain could not only impact the state's crop yields, but also the excessive heat and water scarcity threaten tea plantations, which could have far-reaching economic impact for the state. Assam is extremely vulnerable to climate change, as the state has a high reliance on agriculture that is likely to increase because of its growing population. The abode of clouds, Meghalaya, has today witnessed a shocking 54 percent deficit in rainfall in the world's highest rainfall area, Mawsynram, which has affected the natural water system and hydropower generation in the state. The land of the rising sun, Arunachal Pradesh, is also reeling under the impact of a 40 percent rainfall deficit.
The lack of rainfall has disrupted the state's traditional rural farming practices, leaving farmers in distress. The state's opposition parties have, meanwhile, urged the state government to declare the state a drought-hit state, which serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the region's agricultural and economic system in the face of climate shock. The drought-like conditions are hitting the tribal communities in West Tripura, where their dependence on erratic rainfall makes them susceptible to crop failure and water scarcity. Now, the entire region needs sustainable solutions by expanding scientific irrigation infrastructure, promoting drought-resistant crops, improving groundwater management, providing financial assistance, and providing access to alternative water sources. Reforestation and watershed conservation are other important factors needed for the restoration of natural water cycles in NE.
At the same time, one cannot deny the urgent need for regional cooperation among Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, which could facilitate coordinated efforts for taking long-term, well-thought-out strategies to address the impact of climate change and prepare for future challenges, without which the Northeast's reputation as a land of excess rainfall will remain a distant dream, replacing the present harsh reality of drought and water scarcity.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati
Come out openly
AASU and AAMSU are two of the powerful student organisations from which the state has seen the emergence of many political leaders who went on to become CMs, MPs, and MLAs of the state. AAMSU represents the linguistic minority community, as evidenced by their constant support to land encroachers of their community and constant opposition against the ongoing eviction drive. They even staged very strong protests against the state government’s policy of zero tolerance against illegal encroachment at the national capital, Delhi. On the other hand, it appears as if AASU does not consider illegal land encroachment by a particular community as a serious issue, which is threatening the very existence of the sons/daughters of the soil, as they are refraining from commenting on the current eviction episode. As a matter of fact, they are maintaining stoic silence.
Surprisingly, on many past occasions, AASU hit the streets along with the common Asomiya people demanding security for the indigenous populace, as happened in 1983, when 855 Asomiya were martyred. Merely offering lip service support to this massive issue will not help at all. There may be thousands of issues on which AASU can have reservations with the state government’s policy, but on the current issue, AASU should come out of the shell and stand shoulder to shoulder with the indigenous people of the state. If they are wondering if their support for the BJP government will affect their ‘secular’ character, then they are absolutely wrong. The present situation is more volatile than 1983.
They seem to be more concerned about the security of ULFA rather than the bonafide Asomiyas.
We are simply disappointed.
Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,
Asom