Kohima: Villagers in Chisholimi, Nagaland, completed a new bamboo bridge on Monday, September 7, to reconnect farmers with their jhum fields. The crossing spans a rain-cut channel caused by a landslide on July 31. This is the second structure the men of the village have built since an initial attempt in August washed away. Rain persists. The main road remains blocked.
Farmers, mostly women, had been forced to trek through a treacherous, rocky riverbed while carrying heavy agricultural tools and supplies. Sharp, broken rocks made the journey painful, while mud and water created unstable footing. The crossing serves residents of Chisholimi and neighboring Kilomi, also known as Mudutsugho. The disruption severely hampered the transport of maize, pumpkins, cucumbers, and watermelons.
The village, located in the Pughoboto sub-division of Zunheboto district, relies on agriculture for 95 percent of its livelihood. Farmers must walk 3 km from the village to the bridge and another 2 km to reach their plots. One vehicle has sat stranded at a field for over a month. Village Council chairman Joseph noted that the community frequently repairs infrastructure following disasters.
Villagers attempted to hire a JCB excavator to fix the road, but contributions fell short. Heavy rain further stalled the use of machinery. Farmers rely on this path for their primary income. "We decided to build another walkway after seeing the difficulties faced by our women making daily trips to the fields," said Himato, a local farmer. Residents like Phutoli hope for a permanent fix before the rice harvest begins.
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