Hotter Himalayas: Urgent Concern, an interactive programme on climate change in the Himalayas
- by NECEER -

March 14 2011

Hotter Himalayas: Urgent Concern, an interactive programme on climate change in the Himalayas was conducted on 13th March 2011 at National Gandhi Museum, Rajghat in New Delhi. The youths from different parts of the country took part in the event. The programme witness active youth participation with good interactive sessions on different issues on climate change and the Himalayas. The session on Media and Climate change led by Ms. Mehnaz enlighted the youths on role of the media in highlighjting and creating awareness on climate change.

The discussion bring about many new issues which are only confined to media world. Utilisation of Media as tool in creating awareness as well as in advocating policies related to climate change and other environmental issues was one of the hot topic disscussed during the session.

Second speaker Mr. Anurag Maloo spoke on holistic approach for tackling climate change. Also, he talked about the concept of Sustainable Living to solve the Climate Conflict and Human Conflict. His talk put emphasise on the harmony and healthy balance among all the creatures of the earth, nature, Biodiversity, humans, and every element of Mother Earth. He talked about the co-existence and thrive of People and Biodiversity without doing harm to one another. He also discussed that Human Species are the most flexible, but least adaptive creature on Earth. He also discussed to find solutions for the survival of both as resources grow scarcer and humans, wild plants, and animals are forced to adjust. Living through Eco-sustainability is the solution for all problems.

Ms. Priya Atri, the last speaker of the morning session, gave an eye opening talk on impact of climate change on the river basins of the country. She addressed several facts which is threatening our river basins (Gangetic, Brahmaputra and Indua) due to melting of glaciers in the Himalayas.

'While talking on the topic Climate change and biodiversity in the afternoon session, Ms. Aastha Kukreti said Climate change is one of the most important global environmental challenge and the many types of impacts and vulnerabilities are needed to be understood and assessed, before adaptation strategies can be developed. She said biodiversity adaptation to climate change is presently a hitherto unknown concept but with the threat only getting bigger each passing day, we must develop and look for in situ as well as ex situ ways of conserving the Himalayan biodiversity.

Ms. Anjana Dey talked on impact of toursim on Himalayan Climate. She said if one wants to enjoy nature, one must also be willing to preserve it lest all the exotic destinations will become extinct and the world may no longer be a beautiful place to live in. She also said (Eco)Tourism has the potential to create beneficial effects on the environment by contributing to environmental protection and conservation.

'Last talk of the event was delivered by founder and head of NECEER, Imphal, Khuraijam Jibankumar Singh. He highlighted the diversity of the flora and fauna of the Indo-Bangladesh region and also expressed concern on the impact of ever increasing population in Bangladesh on the natural resources. For the first time at any public gathering, the threats of the illegal influx of immigrants from Bangladesh to porous border of Northeast India and the threats that it pose to the rich diversity of the region was addressed in detailed.

Both the sessions were knowledge enriching experience for the youths and the youths got the chance to share their views and knowledge on different topics related to Climate change in the Himalayan region.

The event was organised by North East Centre for Environmental Education and Research (NECEER), Imphal in collaboration with Delhi Greens and www.gomanipur.com