Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir said though natural resources were assets for any State or nation, they had no value at all if they were not discovered and utilized for socio-economic development of the society.

He was speaking on the 23rd State Geological Programming Board Meeting here. Such natural resources became useless as long as they remained untouched and dormant beneath the ground, the Chief Minister said. The Chief Minister underlined the need to frame a pragmatic planning for "sustainable economic growth of the people", adding exploitation of natural resources should be done in harmony with the natural environment and ecology so that permanent damage was not caused to the environment.

Jamir also called for an urgent need to thoroughly review and evaluate the functioning of the Geology and Mining department. Those Government departments which have the potential to produce goods and raise recourses must galvanize themselves to improve the economy of the State, he added.

"We must have pragmatic and time-bound approaches to increase production as well as carefully planned policies to reduce costs and maximize revenues", the Chief Minister said.

He also said an assertive and pro-active approach was needed to improve the existing State of affairs rather than finding excuses for non-performance. The Chief Minister also explained that the eastern part of the State bordering Myanmar had many minerals of value and further urged the department to give priority towards exploring these minerals instead of concentrating on only a few like petroleum, limestone or decorative stones.

Jamir explained in view of the special Constitutional provisions given to the State under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India, a special dispensation should be provided for undertaking resources exploration besides implementation of a socio-economic package.

He stated constitutional rights given to the State should be fully respected but cautioned that these special privileges should not be misinterpreted to mean that all benefits should accrue only to local landowners.

He also added that production of oil or gas involved massive investment and it couldn't be taken even by the State on its own, not to speak of individual villages or communities. He called upon the people that they should understand and appreciate that mineral and oil wealth of the State belonged to "all Nagas and must be used for the good of all".

He further explained that the genuine rights of landowners should be certainly "taken care of", but they should not make "impossible demands and thereby become obstacles to development".

The Chief Minister urged upon the department to educate the public in this regard and set right the doubts that the people might have. State Geology and Mining Minister I Vikheshe Sema, Geology and Mining Director HK Chishi, Secretary Geology and Mining Temjen Toy were among others who spoke on the occasion.