Care Nature, Nature will care us!!!
- Part 2 -

ZK Pahrü Pou *

Tree plantation at Mega Manipur School as part of 'Save Mother Earth' on August 4, 2013 :: Pix - Dr. Nepram Sanjib

Neem Tree (Azadira-chtaindica): In India, the neem plant is variously known as "Sacred Tree," "Heal All," "Nature's Drugstore," and "the village pharmacy" because of its healing versatility, and it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 4,000 years due to its medicinal properties. The Sanskrit name 'nimba' comes from the term 'nimbatisyasthyamdadati' which means 'to give good health'.

It is also called 'arista' in Sanskrit- means 'perfect, complete and imperishable'. The seeds, bark and leaves contain compounds with proven antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflam- matory, anti-ulcer and antifungal uses. It is one of the few natural ingredients that have so many benefits but no side-effects as such.

It has medicinal properties for curing acne and dark pigmentation, skin infection, pimples, dry skin, allergies, dandruff &hairfall, contraceptives, pesticide/insecticide, asthma, diabetes, all kinds of nail problems, improve liver function, detoxify the blood, and balance blood sugar levels. Twigs of neem are used in India and Africa as toothbrushes. This is an age old remedy that will not only leave your teeth shiny and white but will also keep dental problems like cavity, plaque and bad breath at bay.

Neem twigs are still collected and sold in markets for this use. Neemoil, leaves and neem extracts are used to manufacture health and beauty care products. Its wood is used for timber, for making furniture such as cabinets and the base of drawers. The timber is very durable so is good for making carts, agricultural tools, bridges and for boat building.

Neem trees provide shade and prevent soil erosion. Neem is also a good plant used for making poles because it will re-sprout after it is cut, and is thus easily pollarded or coppiced. The bark also yields a fibre that is woven into rope. Neem seeds can be used to make hardboard. The oil is burned in lamps in many parts of India. The seed, husk and wood are all also used for fuel. Neem makes a good charcoal. The tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a vegetable in India.

The neem tree is of great importance for its anti-desertification properties and possibly as a good carbon dioxide sink. Neem oil is non drying and it resists degradation better than most vegetable oils. In rural India, it is commonly used to grease cart wheels.In parts of Asia neem honey commands premium prices, and people promote apiculture by planting neem trees.80% of India's supply of neem oil is now used by soap manufacturers. It is antibacterial and antifungal, soothing and moisturising.

It is known to increase the soil fertility and water holding capacity as it has the unique property of calcium mining which changes the acidic soil into neutral one.Its fallen leaves which are alkaline are good for neutralising acidity of the soil. It has been recommended to plant neem tree with intercrops for management of acidic soils. Neem has been found to be very affective in wind break.

When neem cake is ploughed into the soil it not only enriches the soil with organic matter but also lowers nitrogen losses by inhibiting nitrification and protects plant roots from nematodes and white ants. Neem cake is extensively used for citrus trees, jasmine, roses and vegetable crops as organic manure.

The neem tree is noted for its drought resistance. Neem can grow in many different types of soil, but it thrives best on well drained deep and sandy soils. It is a typical tropical to subtropical tree and exists at annual mean temperatures between 21–32 °C (70–90 °F). It can tolerate high to very high temperatures and does not tolerate temperature below 4 °C (39 °F). It has a life time of 100 years. Neem tree has the capacity to absorb environmental pollutants and act as an air freshener by releasing oxygen and mild odorous principles. It is very common to see neem trees used for shade lining streets, around temples, schools & other such public buildings or in most people's back yards.

Wild Apple Tree (Malus): Wild apple grown in wild tropical rain forest regions and is well known tree species to the Nagas. Since time immemorial, this fruit was said to be a good medical fruit and called as 'health fruit' by Nagas. It contains multi-vitamin and multi-medicinal value and believed to be helpful for people whohave high blood pressure, diabetic, heavy body weight, fatigue, general weakness, etc. The olden method of consumption was by scrubbing on a clean stone and boiling in pots to minimize the sourness, while some eat it like other fruits.

Sometimes, it is whittled and kept in container with water for few days and both, water and the fruit are consumed. This fruit is also an appetizer for health as it contains vitamin A,C,B1,B2, folic acid, niacin and rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorous, carbohydrates, calorific value, etc. as tested from a reputed central food technological research institute. Wild apple trees grow very fast. It bears fruits after 5years of its plantation. It is a good wood for cooking fires because it burns hot and slow, without producing much flame. No intensive labour is required to take care of it. Its fruit has big commercial potential. These trees do not disturb soil fertility.

Alder Trees (Alnus-nepalensis): Probably this is the most important local genre of tree that enriches and maintains soil fertility helping the farmer to get good yield of crops. This tree is able to grow on highly degraded, unstable soils; It has extensive lateral root system with heavy concentrations of frankia around nodules that fix atmospheric N; Unlike most N-fixing trees, has the ability to thrive and fix N even in very acidic soils; Synergistic, non-competitive relationship with intercrops; Quick decomposing leaf litter; Favourable C/N ratios in underlying soils; Multi-purpose, with an attractive combination of ecological and economic benefits; Provides poles, firewood and numerous secondary products such as wood for constructing tea boxes, pulp for newsprint, tannins of tanning leather, juice of crushed leaves had medicinal properties, etc.; Grows well in full light and is moderately shade-tolerant; Fast rate of growth.

Harvestable for firewood within 5-7 years;Withstand frequent pollarding and coppices profusely; No serious pest and disease problems reported in Nagaland; Long-lived, particularly when pollarded on a systematic basis. Some individual trees have been managed over the past 1-200 years and Its bitter leaves are relatively unpalatable, making it less vulnerable to grazing by free-ranging livestock.

Alder seeds do not germinate abundantly anywhere in jhum fields with a normal humus layer. Rather, they require low carbon soils such as found on landslides, along road cuttings or other disturbed sites where the red subsoil is exposed. One can dig up alder wildlings to transplant usually in May to June when there is abundant rainfall and few desiccating winds.

Keeping in view the rich biodiversity of our land and for many rural poor who are directly dependent on land resources for food, neem tree, alder tree and wild apple tree can be an agro forestry species. These trees enable organic farming and ensure ecological health and sustainable agriculture. They accommodate the growth of other trees and plants species. They enrich soil fertility. They provide raw materials for furniture and medicines. They are viable for growing different types of vegetables and tubers. They preserve and enhance water sources. Firewood provided by alder can be collected after every 5-7years. They can provide habitats to seen and unseen million flora and fauna.

4. Theological-biblical response towards caring of nature:

If we keep nature alive, nature will take care of our life.Land gives. Tree gives. Water gives. Air gives. Animal and bird gives. The problem with us is that although we get everything from nature for our survival we seldom think or do anything to give back to nature. We must be thankful to God for all these blessings! We are facing the consequences of disobeying the first commandment of God given in the Bible 'to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it' (Genesis 1: 28).

The same commandment was renewed through Noah again (Genesis 9:1) after the flood. To be made in the image of God implies that humans have been created in order to responsibly represent God within creation, and in this sense exercise authority, i.e. to have dominion in love. God commanded dominion within the context of responsibility. So when God gave dominion (Gen.1:26), it was not a mandate for irresponsible domination. Humans (Adam & Eve) were instructed to "till" and "keep" it (Gen 2:15), which portrayed the service of a "servant" or "slave". The Hebrew word samar means "to keep" which in noun form is "steward" or "trustee" and implies watchful care and protection of the earth.

The metaphor of the steward includes the characteristics of love, care, responsibility and service. If we want to experience the fullness of life, we need to reorient our attitude towards nature: from oppressive and exploitative attitude to caring and nurturing one. As believer in God of life, we also need to challenge our consumerist lifestylethat is increasingly putting huge burden on nature.

The golden rule for everything is "whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same to them..." (Matt.7:12,13). The same yardstick is applicable to our relationship with nature: take care of nature in such a way we want nature to take care of us. We are to set an example (cf. Titus 2:7) for others in everything. This exemplary life must include taking care of nature as good stewards of God knowing that we are not the owners of it (cf. Psalms 24).

If we destroy nature, we are destroying our own life and the life of other living creatures. To replenish nature, we need to plant trees. Unfortunately, many Christians feel that 'this world is not my home' and hence I don't have any responsibility to take care of nature. On the contrary, we must be aware that we have many assignments to be completed before we go to heaven. As we are co-creator with God, loving and caring of nature could be 'one' among many important assignments that would qualify us for eternal life.

We need to follow the example of Noah who saved the life of human beings, animals and birds in one of the known world's worst disasters. He must be both an expert economist and an environmentalist. We must think and live judiciously not only for ourselves but also for birds and animals and trees around us and for all generation to come. Time has come for us to define our spiritual life in terms of our harmonious relationship with God, fellow beings and nature. Neglecting one of these aspects will bring crisis to both physical and spiritual life. God gave us life through nature (out of dust God created us).

We are part of nature and earth, not apart from it. The water that circulates in the biosphere circulates in our bodies; the oxygen that plants produce becomes our breath; the food that is produced by the soil and the sun's energy becomes our cells, our blood, and our bones. Biologically and ecologically we are one with the earth. We are not solitary beings but imbedded in a web of life on which we are ultimately dependent for our own life. As long as human being perpetuates violence on nature, there will be life crisis.

Take care of nature, nature will take care of us!

Concluded ...