By: Addie Chiphang
A Silent Transformation in the Hills
For generations, the people of Ukhrul district and Kamjong district lived by the rhythm of mountain seasons—icy winters, misty monsoons, and cool summers that nurtured terraced fields and forest villages. Today, elders, farmers, and village leaders speak with a shared concern: the seasons have changed, and life in the hills is no longer predictable.
As a senior journalist from Ukhrul with nearly three decades of reporting village realities—from Jal Jeevan water schemes to PMGSY road struggles— the voices of villagers often reveal truths before official reports do.
This exclusive study gathers those voices, combines them with scientific findings, and examines what climate change truly means for the interior villages of Ukhrul and Kamjong.
Voices from the Hills: Elders Remember a Different Climate
Awo Luiham of Raphei: “The Nights Are Not Dead- Cold Anymore”
Eighty-Seven year-old Awo Luiham from Raphei village recalls winters when the kitchen fire had to burn all night to keep families alive.
“Earlier, I could not sleep if the kitchen fire stopped. Now, after warming by a heater, I sleep comfortably. The nights are not so cold anymore.”
Such simple observations are powerful indicators of warming temperatures. Villagers across Ukhrul echo similar experiences: shorter winters, warmer nights, and the disappearance of frost.
Ayie Phungmi: “We Saw Snowflakes in December”
Another octogenarian, Ayie Phungmi, remembers frozen streams.
“When we woke before sunrise in December–January, small rivers were frozen, and snowflakes fell. Today we hardly see this. The climate is hotter now.”
While heavy snowfall was never common in Ukhrul, frost and icy riverlets were part of winter memory. Their disappearance suggests rising winter temperatures.
Farmers Speak: Changing Harvests and Drying Streams
Yarshongam of Hunphun: Fruits Tell the Story
Farmer Yarshongam from Hunphun village, who has grown fruits for two decades, observes dramatic changes.
“Earlier, lemons and guavas were small and sour. In the last 3–5 years they are bigger, sweeter, and abundant. These fruits prefer hotter climates.”
This shift in fruit productivity indicates warmer average temperatures—conditions favorable for crops once uncommon in cooler hills.
Women Fetching Water: Streams Gone Silent
A woman from a remote village explains:
“Earlier we fetched drinking water from nearby streams. Now many streams dry up because rain is irregular. Summers feel hotter than before.”
Drying streams are among the clearest impacts of climate change in hill regions.
Scientific Evidence: What Data Says About the Hills
Temperature Rise
Studies across Northeast India show:
* Average temperature rise of 0.6–1.0°C in the last decade
* Warmer winters and longer summers
* Increased heat stress even in hill regions
These findings align with villagers’ observations.
Erratic Rainfall
Rainfall patterns in Northeast India have become irregular due to global climate change.
* Heavy rain in short bursts
* Long dry spells between monsoons
* Increased landslides and flash floods
This pattern affects jhum cultivation and terrace farming common in Ukhrul and Kamjong.
Causes of Climate Change in Ukhrul & Kamjong
1. Deforestation
Villagers admit trees are being cut for charcoal, firewood, and construction.
Yarphuk, a village elder, explains:
“Earlier we had fruit trees and forests around houses. Now big trees are cut for charcoal business. Climate change is partly our own making.”
Deforestation reduces rainfall retention, increases soil erosion, and raises temperatures.
2. Population Pressure and Economic Hardship
Lack of employment forces villagers to depend on forest resources. Without alternative livelihoods, conservation becomes difficult.
—development gaps push villagers into unsustainable practices.
3. Global Climate Change
Even remote villages are affected by global warming caused by industrial emissions worldwide.
The Northeast Himalayan region is particularly sensitive because:
* Mountain ecosystems react faster to warming.
* Biodiversity loss accelerates climate impact
Effects on Agriculture
Crop Pattern Changes
Farmers report:
* Early flowering in paddy and vegetables
* Increase in pests and plant diseases
* Decline in traditional crops like millet and maize
But some new crops thrive:
* Lemon
* Guava
* Pineapple
This shift could reshape hill agriculture.
Water Scarcity
Drying streams affect:
* Drinking water supply
* Irrigation
* Livestock
Women walk longer distances for water—echoing issues similar to those seen in villages under the Jal Jeevan Mission you documented earlier.
Soil Erosion and Landslides
Erratic rainfall causes landslides, damaging PMGSY roads—another problem you have covered in Wahong and Shoraphung villages.
Poor roads worsen economic isolation.
Impact on Forests and Wildlife
* Disappearance of medicinal plants
* Migration of birds and animals
* Loss of bamboo species
Forest degradation reduces traditional food sources.
Social Impact
Climate change is not just environmental—it affects culture and livelihoods.
Migration
Young people leave villages due to crop failure.
Poverty
Reduced harvests increase food insecurity.
Cultural Loss
Traditional farming festivals linked to seasons lose meaning when seasons shift.
Interview with Farmers: Practical Voices
Farmer Interview 1– Hunphun Village
Q: What changes worry you most?
A: “Rainfall is uncertain. Sometimes heavy rain destroys crops; sometimes there is drought.”
Farmer Interview 2 – Phungcham Area
Q: How does it affect income?
A: “We harvest less rice. We buy more food from market.”
Farmer Interview 3 – Kamjong Interior Village
Q: What solution do you want?
A: “Water harvesting tanks and tree planting programs.”
Scientific Interpretation of Local Observations
Local observations match global climate science:
Observation – Scientific Explanation
Warmer nights – Greenhouse gas warming
Drying streams – Reduced rainfall & deforestation
Bigger lemons & guavas – Warmer temperature suitability
Less frost – Rising winter temperatures
Current Climate Situation (2020–2026)
* Temperature rising steadily
* Rainfall unpredictable
* Deforestation increasing
* Water scarcity worsening
Hill regions once considered cool now experience heat stress.
Practical Solutions for Ukhrul & Kamjong
1. Community Forest Protection
Village councils must regulate tree cutting.
2. Rainwater Harvesting
Small dams and tanks can restore streams.
3. Climate-Resilient Crops
Introduce drought-resistant rice and vegetables.
4. Government Support
Schemes like rural water supply, irrigation, and road improvement must consider climate risk.
The Way Forward: Youth and Policy
Schools should teach climate awareness. NGOs and local authorities must collaborate.
Development should not destroy forests.
Villagers must balance livelihood and conservation.
Conclusion: A Warning from the Elders
The elders of Ukhrul and Kamjong are not scientists, yet their memories tell a clear story.
From sleeping without fire to harvesting sweeter guavas, from frozen streams to dry riverbeds—the hills are changing.
Climate change is no longer a distant theory; it is a daily reality in Raphei, Hunphun, Phungcham, Kamjong, and every interior village.
If ignored, the next generation may inherit barren hills, water scarcity, and lost traditions.
But if communities, leaders, and governments act now—with science, wisdom, and unity—the hills of Ukhrul and Kamjong can still remain green, resilient, and alive.
(This Article is written under the Joint initiative of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, GoM, Media Resource Centre and Ukhrul District Working Journalist Association)