CM attends Caux Forum 2019 in Switzerland
Shillong: The State government will sign a memorandum of understanding with the University of Berkeley in September to adopt 100 villages to start the concept of smart villages in the state, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said at the Caux Forum 2019 Dialogue on Land and Security in Montreux, Switzerland which started on Thursday.
Conrad said that the cities are already choking and smart villages will prevent urban migration and related environmental issues.
He said as the state celebrates its 50 years of statehood in 2022 and the country the 75th year of independence there is a need to start living for the state, the country and the world as a whole.
The chief minister boasted about the state’s richness, natural beauty and resources at the forum which will conclude on June 30
With a population of about 3.3 million the state is known worldwide for receiving the heaviest rainfall in the world, he said.
Besides, discovery by geologists in 2018 about the ‘Meghalayan Age’ has put the state in the global spotlight.
Apprising the gathering about the traditional and indigenous customs and practices of the people, he said, “we have a lot of traditional rules and laws that don’t apply to other parts of the country and it is a community-driven society”.
He also informed the gathering about the land tenure system, the Sacred Groves and the living roots bridges.
He said that the government has given importance to such indigenous knowledge and stressed on community participation in the implementation of government programmes.
The state has about 6500 villages and the government will ensure that the National Resource Management Plans are made through full community participation. He said that there is also a special emphasis on restoration of land in more than 400 villages of the state.
He further pointed out that the government has linked all livelihood programmes to natural resources and is encouraging people to protect these.
“I am happy to inform that this year on World Environment Day we planted 1.2 million trees and every citizen is encouraged to plant and adopt one tree,” he said.
“Water depletion and water crisis is a massive problem in our country and our state is one of the first to be ready with the State Water Policy to face the issue of water conservation and water use,” he added.
The annual Caux Forum through conferences, training and dialogues aims to inspire, equip and connect people, groups and organisations to build a just, sustainable and peaceful world.
Each year, in a safe space of trust, care, solidarity and respect, around 1,500 participants from civil society, government and business meet in a true diversity of ages, genders, cultures,
sectors and beliefs which builds bridges across cultural, social and ethnic divides.
The Caux Palace, a former Belle-Époque Grand Hotel overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps, provides a unique and inspiring setting.
At the 2019 Dialogue, global thought leaders and practitioners will explore how community and individual actions can reverse degradation leading to peace and stability, the statement said.