Causes and Consequences of Environmental Degradation in Mizoram, Northeast India

Abstract

The problem of environmental degradation due to deterioration of natural resources has become an important issue and is one of the burning problems in the 21st century in northeast India, especially in Mizoram. It is clear that deforestation, ground water depletion, soil erosion, decline in rainfall, river water pollution and volume decreases in dry season are the major threats to environmental degradation in this fragile terrain. Anthropogenic activities by land use changes due to settlement expansion, over exploitation of land and forest resources for intensive agriculture appear to be the major causes for the fast depletion of resources. Therefore, it is necessary to protect natural resources in order to mitigate multi-dimensional environmental degradation. This study is an attempt to analyze the causes and consequences of environmental degradation in this area based on the resources of land, water and forest. Implementation of appropriate measures like judicious use of natural resources, utilizing education to minimize economic backwardness and inclusion of community participation helps to mitigate environmental deterioration to great extent.