The Sümi Hoho has opposed the implementation of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in Nagaland. In a press release, the apex organisation of the Sümi tribe stated that it is concerned about the potential ramifications the Act would have on the age-old traditions, cultural practices, and sustainable livelihoods of the community.

It said that while it acknowledges the importance of environmental conservation, it is also apprehensive that the Act may “inadvertently disrupt our harmonious coexistence with nature”.

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“The Sümi people have been stewards of the land, practicing responsible resource management, including shifting cultivation, that is deeply embedded in our cultural ethos. Our way of life, including our traditional agricultural practices, holds profound significance not just for our livelihoods but also for our identity as a distinct indigenous community,” Sümi Hoho stated.

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, if implemented without due consideration of those customary practices, has the potential to erode the cultural fabric that has been nurtured by the people of the community for generations, it added.

Sümi Hoho therefore urged Nagaland State Assembly to take into account the “potential consequences of the Act on our indigenous rights, customs, and way of life” and reject the implementation of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 within the state’s jurisdiction.