People-nature bond in State impresses Bolivian envoy

SHILLONG: Ambassador of Bolivia to India, Jorge Cardenas, was visibly impressed with the level of cleanliness and harmony with nature maintained in Asia’s cleanest village, Mawlynnong. Speaking to reporters on Friday after his visit to Mawlynnong, he said the local culture in Meghalaya respects nature. Mentioning that India initiated the Clean India Campaign only recently, the envoy was full of appreciation for the fact the cleanliness was being given top priority in Meghalaya since centuries. “We have to copy this model and put it in the current situation, he said. He further said sustainability of green cover was important and locals are also benefiting from it and added that its level should be further increased. He stated that the eastern side of Bolivia has the influence of Amazon Rainforest and the country was quite similar to Meghalaya in terms of hilly terrain. Pointing out that Bolivia was rich in gas, iron and silver he said the main agenda of the Bolivian Government was people’s interaction with nature and added that the Government in Bolivia was protecting the environment by laws. “Water is for people and not for business – this idea was born in Bolivia,” he said while adding that the same goes with forest and energy. Earlier on Thursday, the Ambassador called upon NEHU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. K.S. Srivastava, and also interacted with the senior faculty, deans of schools, officials and students of the University. He was accompanied by Ike Sinha, Country Director, Unite 4 Good in India. The Ambassador, who is also a teacher, gave a brief account of his country and the similarities it shares with the North Eastern states – abundant natural resources, cultural make-up and rich biodiversity hotspots. He spoke of how the indigenous population which accounts for 60 per cent of the total population took control of their own resources to raise the country’s GDP while at the same time reducing the poverty from 42 to 18 per cent. He emphasized on the need to shed the colonial mindset so that one can reach the level of the developed countries. The Ambassador emphasized on the important role of education and the need to give back to the people the knowledge gained. “That is my message – to interact and spread the word,” he concluded. Expressing his gratitude to the V-C for organising the interaction on such a short notice, Sinha recalled the contribution of late A.P.J. Kalam to the North East. Prof. Srivastava hoped that the commonalities shared by both Bolivia and the North East would guide both parties to a better path.