Shillong Sept 14: Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), New Delhi in collaboration with Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong, North-Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP), Shillong and State Council of Science, Technology and Environment (SCSTE), Meghalaya today organised the National Mission for Himalayan Studies in the campus of Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong.
The consultation deliberated on the topic, “Understanding Mountain People’s approach and practices in combating climate change – Research to Renewal and Reforms”. The deliberation started with an address by Dr. Glenn C Kharkongor, the Chancellor who spoke about the frequency and severity of natural events manifesting climate change.
Ms. Fantry Mein Jaswal, the Secretary of the IMI, made a short presentation on the objectives behind organising the Roundtable in Shillong. She outlined the aims and objectives of IMI for the last 7 years in the Himalayan region. She then declared the launching of the Meghalaya chapter of IMI open.
The technical session subsequent to the inaugural session was chaired by Shri. TTC Marak, IFS, Retd. PCCF, Govt. of Meghalaya, which saw 7 presentations being made on wide ranging issues concerning climate change. The first presentation by Ms. Neha Bharti, Principal Investigator, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Ms. Chhaya Vani Namchu, Programme Coordinator, IMI dwelt on the ongoing National Mission on Himalayan Studies Projects being executed by IMI and TERI.
Mr. Jonathan D Syiemlieh of TERI cited some traditional knowledge based climate coping technologies. Mr. Aiban Swer, OSD, MBDA, talked about the ongoing implementation of Meghalaya Climate Change Acton Plan. Mr. W.L Narry from the Water Resources Department of Meghalaya spoke about the vulnerability of water resources as a result of climate change.
Mr. P.J Dutta, Assistant Director, Horticulture, Meghalaya, dwelt on the adaptation technologies practiced by the farmers in rural areas in Meghalaya. Prof. B.K Tiwari of NEHU spoke about linking research with community in mitigating the impact of climate change. Ms. Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times, drew the attention towards the role of media in spreading awareness about climate change.
The deliberation of this session was followed by a panel discussion on climate change and traditional knowledge available with the community in mitigating it. The session chaired by Ms. Jaswal saw Mr. C.P Marak, IFS, PCCF and HoFF and Chairman MSPCB, Dr. Sanjeev Kakoty of IIM Shillong, Mr. Mihin Dollo, Advisor, (NRM) NERCORMP, Shri. A.S Suting, OSD, SCSTE, Dr. Carl Rangad, V.P, NESFAS taking part in the panel discussion. The chair summarised the deliberation of the day.
Dr. Subhasish Das Gupta, HoD, DETE, MLCU spoke about the roadmap for the newly launched Meghalaya Integrated Mountain Development Initiative (MIDMI) which would strive for adhering to and pursuing the principles and objectives of the parent body.
MIDMI would adopt a Meghalaya centric approach while studying environment related problems and the effect of climate change. The Meghalaya chapter would function as a think-tank and help in the formulation of policies with regards to water security, spring rejuvenation, breeding of indigenous species and community livelihood generation taking into account the vast traditional knowledge available with the community in coping with the impact of climate change.
The chapter would also function as a professional or technical body endeavouring to influence policy decision on complex environmental issues, and partnerships with various research and academic institutions in carrying out research in the areas of climate change, documenting and compiling climate change relevant data for the state of Meghalaya.
An adhoc committee of the newly forned MIDMI was constituted with Dr. S. Chaudhari, M.D, NERCORMP and Dr. S. Kakoty of IIM, Shillong as Advisory Board Members. Shri. TTC Marak was made the President, Mr. M. Dollo as Vice-President, Dr. S. Das Gupta, HoD, DETE, MLCU, as Secretary and Ms. Gardinia Nongbri as Joint Secretary.
