Climate Change
SHILLONG, Aug 17: In the wake of an ongoing climate crisis, Chairman of State Planning Board Metbah Lyngdoh on Thursday reminded every stakeholder of their individual responsibility in destroying the climate and the environment, while emphasising on the need to do whatever in one’s capacity to avert the crisis.
Metbah was speaking at the inaugural function of an international seminar-cum-webinar on ‘Climate Change: Local, National and Global Agenda’, organised by the Department of Geography and IQAC, St Edmund’s College, Shillong, in collaboration with NABARD Shillong.
In his address as the chief guest of the programme, Lyngdoh said climate change is a very serious issue and the underlying problems have to be understood to solve and mitigate climate crisis.
Stressing on the importance of youths in mitigating climate change, the former Assembly Speaker said that youths can act, and whatever they, there is always a result.
Addressing the inaugural programme, Dr (Br) Simon Coelho, the Principal (in-charge) of St. Edmund’s College, highlighted the significance of the seminar-cum-webinar in the centenary year of the college, even as he expressed gratitude to the attendees including the speakers, teachers and students.
On the other hand, Prof Osmond M Kharmawphlang, Head of Department of Geography, St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, said that the seminar served as a powerful tool to address climate change at local, national and international level as it would present the opportunities to bring together students, teachers and researchers from different fields.
Addressing the inaugural programme, General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Shillong, Dr P Sahoo, said that the constant understanding and awareness of the bad effects of changing climate is very important and that will be important for all in fighting the climate crisis.
He said that NABARD has created a dedicated Climate Change Fund in 2016-17. The fund aims to promote and support various activities targeted to address climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation measures, awareness generation, knowledge sharing and facilitate sustainable development.
Dr Anup Saikia from the Department of Geography, Gauhati University, presented his study on Manipur on how Climate change has affected plainsmen and hillsmen of Manipur.
On the other hand, Dr Bremley Lyngdoh, who joined the session from the London School of Economics, shared his extensive work in Myanmar and other South East Asian nations as far as mangrove forest is concerned.
Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a senior climate specialist, ICIMOD Kathmandu, stressed on the impacts of climate change on water resources and disasters in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region — challenges and solutions.
The closing function was graced by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Meghalaya, RS Gill, as the chief guest and Assistant General Manager (AGM) of NABARD Shillong, Greville Kharlukhi, as the guest of honour.
Others who presented the technical papers were Dr Sunil Kumar De, Dr BK Tiwari, Nababrata Bhattacharjee and Dr Rajesh Thapa.
Certificates and mementos were distributed among the resource persons and participants. Prizes were also given away to the winners of the different competitions.
A pledge was undertaken by all participants.