From Our Special Correspondent
SHILLONG: A one-day public consultation on the preparation of reference materials on climate change was held by Gene Campaign, a national research and advocacy institution headed by plant geneticist and activist Dr SumanSahai, in collaboration with Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU).
The workshop was attended by scientists, academicians, media persons, civil society leaders, representatives of grass root organizations and postgraduate students of environment, nutrition and journalism. Dr Axel Harneit Stevens of the Heinrich Boll Foundation, Germany also participated.
Several key topics in climate change were presented and discussed, including coastal systems, forests and biodiversity, water, mountain ecosystems, agriculture and food security and soil conservation.
Several issues pertaining to Meghalaya and the northeast were highlighted such as jhum farming, mining, water pollution and deforestation. Some of the recommendations that emerged from the workshop are: to obtain farmer’s and rural people’s perceptions on climate change, document mitigation and adaptation strategies used in farming and other traditional livelihoods, measure pollution levels in water bodies and in stagnant water collections in abandoned coal pits, create awareness among the general public especially in schools and set up seed banks of traditional crops, fruit and vegetables.
It is also imperative to use constructive advocacy and activism to influence policy formulation for ground water conservation, land use, and protection of traditional agricultural methods and local varieties of grains, fruits and vegetables.
