By HH Mohrmen
The recently concluded G20 meeting has ‘Nature Solves: A new framework for our sustainable future,’ as its theme. It is good that nature has taken center stage at the G20 2023 summit organised by the Government of India, Government of Meghalaya, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), and Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA). Meghalaya which is the main host of the event showcased nature-based initiatives that the government has taken up in the last few years. These projects undertaken by Community-led Landscape Management (CLLM) can be described as the government’s Green Meghalaya initiative. Whether the recent meeting will enable Meghalaya to initiate policies and projects which could make the state the leader in green deals, is another question.
Unique Geological History of Meghalaya
The geological history of Meghalaya spans millions of years and is characterized by dynamic tectonic activities, and diverse rock formations, which help in the shaping of unique landscapes. The North East region is situated on the eastern margin of the Indian subcontinent, where the Indian plate collides with the Eurasian plate, resulting in complex geological processes. Around 200 million years ago, during the breakup of the super-continent Pangaea, this region was part of Gondwana. Over time, the area experienced extensive volcanic activity, leading to the formation of basaltic lava flows known as the Rajmahal Traps.
Around 60-65 million years ago, the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates initiated the formation of the Himalayas. This tectonic event had a profound impact on the region, resulting in the uplifting of the ancient rocks and the formation of the Fold Mountains. The Shillong Plateau, where Meghalaya is located, is a remnant of the ancient Indian shield.
Meghalaya itself is known for its unique geological formations, such as the Khasi and Jaintia hills. These hills are composed of sedimentary rocks, including sandstones, shales, and limestones, which were deposited during different geological periods. The region’s abundant rainfall and unique topography have given rise to breathtaking landscapes, including deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and vast cave systems, such as the famous Mawsmai and Krem Liat Prah caves.
Devesh Walia of NEHU an expert on the subject believes that the movement of the landmass in its 70 million years journey is also the reason that the state has so much diversity. In the over 70 million years journey of the landmass, it has moved from the southern hemisphere and crossed over the region with equatorial climatic conditions to reach its present location. This has also influenced the kind of diversity the region has.
The state’s strength vis-à-vis nature-based solution
The geological history of the state is also the reason for the forest cover that Meghalaya has in the different regions of the state. In Meghalaya, the forest cover in the State is 17,118.79 sq km which is 76.36 % of the state’s geographical area. This is again another strength that puts Meghalaya in the driver’s seat of leading from the front in matters relating to nature-based solutions. Although only 1,113 square KM of the forested area is under the direct control of the state government, the light at the end of the tunnel is the traditional natural resource management that was practiced since time immemorial. Since a large part of the forest in the state is under the control of the community, the state needs to take the community on board if any Natural Resource Management (NRM), a nature-based project the government initiated is to succeed. Meghalaya not only has a rich traditional knowledge of the NRM system in place but the traditional farming practices by farmers is natural farming by default. These are some of the strengths that the state and its people have to put Meghalaya in the driver’s seat of leading the country and the world in green deals.
Green Meghalaya initiatives
The Government deserves to be patted on the back for introducing game-changing nature-based projects like the Payment for Ecological Services (PES), the Seed Ball program, forest management plans, and other projects. It is also encouraging when the audience at the G20 meeting was also informed that more than 1900 applications for inclusion in the project were received from the community. But it is also important that the government should not ignore the traditional knowledge that has helped protect these forests in the first place. It is an accepted fact the world over that the indigenous people who live in a territory that covers about 25 % of the world’s land surface, and has a population of 370 million only, are the custodians of about 80 % of the global biodiversity. Even though the indigenous people comprise a small population of less than 5% of the world’s population, and living in just a quarter of the world’s total land surface, they have been able to conserve the biodiversity in their respective regions. From the Amazon to the northeast region of India the areas where the indigenous people live are biodiversity hotspots of their respective countries. It will be the government’s loss if it fails to take cognizance of the traditions that have kept these forests intact for millions of years now.
Leading the from the front in nature – based farming
Although to some extent the farming practices in the state have changed from traditional farming to consumer-driven farming practices, a large section of the farming population still use the traditional production system. The different traditional food production systems of the people are the paddy fields, the bun system, the jhum, the kitchen garden, and the forest to name a few. These practices are not only common all over the state, but they had survived the test of time, and most importantly from the food sovereignty aspect they produce diverse food crops which are also nutritious. In the traditional way of life, farming is also connected to culture as these different practices have a profound connection with the culture of the people’s life, and even the festivals they celebrate are linked to the practices. While the world is embarking on the journey of regenerative farming, Meghalaya is already one step ahead in natural farming which is a traditional practice.
Meghalaya the hub of green initiative
During his inaugural address at the G20 meeting, the Chief Minister also informed the gathering that in a very short time, the government will announce the Chief Minister’s Solar Mission. However, the Chief Minister is not consistent in his stand as at times he sounds like he is for green energy, and a few moments later, one would hear him say that the government cannot stop illegal coal mining in the state, which is disappointing. The silver lining in all this is the fact the government has the best intentions at heart.
The other idea that was shared at the meeting was that perhaps Meghalaya can lead the country in initiating green entrepreneurship. The state can organise a national or international event to promote green entrepreneurship. The other nature-based livelihood activities that the state can take a lead in is sustainable tourism. Right now the tourism that we have in the state is mass tourism which is not sustainable; perhaps more emphasis is needed on high-end and sustainable tourism.
Given the strengths of the state Meghalaya can also be the model state where indigenous knowledge for environment conservation and science complement each other. The need of the hour is to document all these ITKs which can then be studied and shared with others.
The Sacred Relationship
At the heart of these attempts to put the state at the forefront of green deals, the efforts will succeed only if nature takes center stage in whatever the state does. The chief minister also mentioned balancing livelihood with conservation but more often than not, we find that every time we face such situations, nature always takes the back seat. Nature is brushed aside to give way to human interest. The situation demands that there should be no compromise, and if the world is to have a future, nature should take precedence over everything else. Meghalaya can become a game changer in the nature-based initiatives if we only realise that nature can solve because it evolves and more importantly because of the mutual love between nature and creation. Meghalaya can be the model where this sacred relationship is respected.