Climate Catalyst workshop in city to train Indian youths
SHILLONG: Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh has advocated on the need for elected representatives to play a pivotal role in sensitizing the people to combat the problem of climate change.
“So far, the issue of climate change is yet to tickle the minds of elected representatives. I am sure each and every legislator is aware of the threat on the environment due to climate change,” Mawthoh said while speaking as the resource person during the ‘Climate Catalyst’ workshop to train Indian youth on climate change under Agents of Change Programme organized by Indian Youth Climate Network which was held NEHU Convention Centre here on Wednesday.
He said, “As elected representatives, it is our bonded duties to educate the people on the deteriorating condition of the environment. We can also create consciousness among the people on the importance of improving the environment”.
According to him, the problem of climate change is a serious problem which has to be tackle with the cooperation of the people at large.
“Therefore, the legislators can act as a mediator to build a consensus approach by involving the local village durbar and various traditional institutions to handle this biggest challenge which is posing a threat on the survival of mankind in this planet,” Mawthoh, who is also an Associate Professor in NEHU, said.
He also said that he will be posing a question during the upcoming Winter Assembly session to know about the steps taken by the State Government so far to tackle the problem of climate change.
“This question will also help to further enlighten the legislators on this problem,” the legislator said.
Mawthoh observed that it was really sad to see the failure of the Government in implementing the various laws and regulations to check the imbalances to the ecology due to man-made activities.
“I am sure that the damages to the environment could have been controlled if the Government had been able to implement the various laws in letter and spirit,” he said.
According to him, the government cannot find any lasting solution to this problem unless laws were strictly implemented on the ground.
“The technologies which have been discovered to tackle this problem of climate change will be totally wasted if the people do not have access to it,” the legislator said.
Mawthoh pointed that the Supreme Court ruling in 1996 to ban the felling of timber was a blessing in disguise for the State.
“I am not sure how much of the forest areas would have remained if the ban by the apex court was not there,” he said.
The legislator, however, lamented that timber smuggling was still rampant in the State.
“These kinds of illegal activities will definitely have a negative impact on the environment,” Mawthoh added.
Meanwhile, IYCN president Supriya Singh said that the ultimate aim of hosting the Agent of Change (AOC) programme is to empower Indian youth to have a stronger voice at the domestic, regional and international forum on the issue of climate change.
“The programme works to inspire youth to become future climate leaders who will provide informed support to policy makers and in the process ensure that a well prepared and strong Indian delegation participates in the Climate of Change Conference of People 20 in Lima, Peru and beyond,” Singh said, adding that the overall goal is to provide Indian youth with a platform to articulate themselves successfully in the policy dialogue both in India and internationally.
She also informed that the IYCN and its members are involved in lobbying, campaigning and direct action for a sustainable future at regional and national levels to influence the political decisions and negotiations leading to COP 20 and beyond.
“The most important aspect of AOC workshop is that it marks the establishment of the Shillong Chapter of ICYN and help to determine its future course,” the ICYN president said.
It may be mentioned that the workshop is being supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority.