CARLO PETRINI, founder of the Slow Food Movement, is one of the laureates of the UN 2013 Champions of the Earth Award – the UN system’s most prestigious environmental accolade that is awarded to individuals whose exceptional wisdom, vision and work has had positive impacts on the environment.
The ceremony, held in New York on September 18, similarly honoured the Brazilian Environment Minister, developers of Google Earth and a leading air pollution researcher. The Champions of the Earth, UN’s flagship programme, is organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and has recognized 59 individuals and organizations for their leadership, vision, inspiration and action on the environment.
Petrini is very well-known for his path-breaking work that started 30 years ago, connecting the pleasure of tasty cuisines, protection of biodiversity and locally produced food. He was the chief guest at the first edition of the annual Mei Ram-ew Day 2010 in Mawphlang, where his call for all to be reconnected to the pleasure of local food caught the imagination of thousands across the world.
Impressed by the incredible diversity and knowledge of tribal communities in the Northeast, Petrini agreed to push for an International Indigenous Terra Madre to be held in Mawphlang in 2015 (IITM 2015). NESFAS since 2012 has held over 30 food festivals bringing together and connecting more than 150 villages of East and West Khasi Hills, Garo Hills, Ri-bhoi, Jaintia Hills, Assam and Manipur. These food festivals highlighted the importance of responsibly produced local food in protecting the environment and land, preserving biodiversity and cultural practices and knowledge, that reaffirms pride in our culture and enhances our health and the well-being of local communities.
Slow Food has more than 100,000 members and supporters in over 150 countries who support and work towards strengthening disappearing local food traditions that support biodiversity, reduce food waste, and simultaneously promotes small-scale quality food products. The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity connects and provides technical and financial support to over 10,000 small-scale food producers – farmers, fishermen, and indigenous communities who depend on the forests for their food security.
The Ark of Taste, reminiscent of Noah’s Ark, is one of Slow Food’s projects initiated by Petrini that documents more than 1,000 disappearing food species and food products from more than 75 countries. The Khasi Mandarin, documented in detail by NESFAS, is one such item that has entered the Ark of Taste. Meghalaya’s Shia Shiahkrot, whose roots make a delicious tea, is another item currently being documented to be entered into the Ark. Ten more such food products are currently being documented in detail by NESFAS.