INTRODUCTION
KURANTANGDZU is one among many streams found under MIMI jurisdiction, in Kiphire district of Nagaland. The stream originates from DikhiamZatang (one of the oldest tree in the region) and flows towards Sara river in the North. It runs about 7 km before joining the Sara river. Its width is about 8 m approx. and is the only purest and coldest stream known till date under Kiphire district Nagaland. The interesting fact about the stream is, that the water remains cold throughout the season regardless of the weather nor does it change in its volumes in all season. The stream holds a great legend behind its discovery. Besides its small size, the stream holds ecological and economic importance as it has rich Flora and fauna due to its cold nature of water and the surrounding. It is a home to different species of birds and animals.
HISTORY
Kurantangdzu (Stream) in Mimi village under Kiphire district of Nagaland is one of the rarest gifts of God. The stream had been discovered when the Longfurr Naga, who now lives in Mimi village, was living in Dzurr village on the other part of the mountain which is 15 km away from the present Mimi village. Before Migration, the villagers would walk 15 km to collect water from the Kurantangdzu stream just to ease their thirst despite the availability of other streams near the village. There's a legend about an old man from the Royal clan who was very fond of the stream water and on his dead-bed his only wish was to have a last sip from the stream water that he requested his grandson to go fetch him water from that stream. Seeing his grandfather’s health condition, the boy agreed to fulfil his last wish and brought him water from the stream. The old man breathed his last after drinking the water from that stream with satisfaction. Since then, the close association between the stream and villagers has begun to exist till date.
ECONOMICAL
The legend says, since time immemorial, there isn't a minute change in the water of Kurantangdzu stream, the water remains the same physically and in its chemical composition since the time of its origins. None of the villagers are bothered in buying refrigerators. They naturally get cold water which can fill their thirst during hot sunny days. Today the village authority had brought water from different sources into the village to address the needs of water for villagers, but most people rushed for Kurantangdzu water, considering its purity, freshness and cold. The water always remains cold even on sunny days, hence reduces economic stress for the villagers as there's no need for them to buy refrigerators for cooling purposes and also reduces power consumption in the village.
ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP
Kurantangdzu stream holds a very important ecological prospects, due to its coldness in nature, many birds and animals come to ease their thirst from this water and take shelter in the surrounding during the hot summer days and hence it is a home to different types of plants and animal species and therefore the region is rich in flora and fauna. One could see various bird and animal species taking shelter in the region of Kurantangdzu stream.
HUMAN INTERACTION
From time immemorial, the source of water consumption for Longfurr Naga and the neighbouring villages has been from Kurantangdzu water. It is said that the water remains the same, pure, cold and fresh as it has been since our ancestors' time. Every travellers and cultivator crossing the stream would rest in the stream to fill their thirst and to enjoy the cold like winter breeze of its surroundings. The water from this stream is used as drinking water by the villagers which they consume raw as the water is pure, cold and fresh like that of the modern mineral water which we get from refrigerator.
CONCLUSION
Kurantangdzu being the only stream with the gift of natural cooler, having a great importance of ecological relationship and with a great legend behind, is facing a great danger of losing its special characters in the near future due to deforestation and other developmental projects. Therefore, people from every walk of life, like the government, NGOs and individuals must come forward with a plan to conserve the stream waters and its surrounding from losing its uniqueness and a special character that holds since time immemorial.
Narration of the Historic events: Mrs. TsulimchaSangpenpsy, (The oldest woman in the Village)
Interviewed by: LongsoYimkhiung
About The writer
Longso Yimkhiung, from Mimi Village,which is located along the international border with Myanmar under Pungro Subdivision in Kiphire District of Nagaland. He made 6 short documentary films on Community Conserve Area (CCA) in Nagaland during his internship at Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) in Nagaland. He also worked with Aaranyakas a documentation officer under Manas Tiger Conservation Programme (MTCP) Assam in 2016-2018. After his experiences from different reputation organisation across north east, he started his small initiative on ‘Friends of Nature Youth Initiative’in 2019, focusing the rural youths for involving in nature conservation in Nagaland.
