Consultation on Climate Change held in Imphal
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 22 2015:
One day consultation on "Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples Rights in Manipur" was held on Thursday at Manipur Press Club.
The programme was jointly organized by the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, (CRAM), North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) and Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization (MDAVO) .
Delivering the key-note address, CRAM Secretary Jiten Yumnam said that pursuance of unsustainable development processes like mega dams, oil exploration and other extractive industries in Manipur will lead to destruction of forest, agriculture land and impact on the indigenous peoples' rights.
Senior environmentalist Dr RK Ranjan shared how climate change led to environmental devastations and undermined "food sovereignty" in Manipur.
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In the consultation meeting, the organisations adopted a ten-point resolution.
It was resolved that the Government of India, international and national stakeholders should implement the protection and promotion of indigenous peoples rights, enumerated and enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and recognize indigenous peoples right to "self-determination and self-determined rights over their land and natural resources" in all climate change related development decisions making processes.
Secondly, it was resolved to urge the authorities to review or revoked the MoUs signed for mega dam constructions without peoples consent.
The organisations have also demanded to repeal the policies of Manipur Hydro Power Policy, 2012 .
It was felt that there should be moratorium on large scale destructive unsustainable development projects in Manipur, primarily mega dam constructions, oil exploration and large infrastructure projects till these development processes are reviewed.
Indigenous peoples worldview based on their traditional notions and sustainable management of land and natural resources and low consumption, carbon oriented way of life must be included in all development decision making process at all levels based on their rightful partnership, said the resolution adopted by the consultation.
All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen Union (ALLAFU) Secretary Oinam Rajen; MDAVO Chairman, Dominic Kashung; Elders Council, Centre for Organization Research and Education (CORE) President Dr Debabrata Roy Laifungbam; Naga Women Union (NWU) former president Aram Pamei; Committee on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Phulindro Konsam; Rongmei Lu Phaum President Panti Gonmei and CRAM President Sanaton Laishram shared their views on the climate changes during the consultation.