Consultation programme adopts 13 resolutions
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 09 2023: Thirteen resolutions, including the review of the Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change, repealing of the Manipur Palm Oil (Regulation of Production and Processing) Act, 2021, Manipur Hydro Power Policy, 2012, Forest Conservation Bill, 2023 and North East Hydrocarbon Vision, 2030 were adopted in the "Consultation on Climate Change in Manipur & COP 28 of UNFCCC" held on Saturday at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal.

The consultation programme jointly organised by the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM), Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights in Manipur (YFPHR) and Go Green Group, Manipur was participated by environmental activists and youths of the State.

Consultation programme adopts 13 resolutions

During the programme, the gathering unanimously agreed to demand a review of the Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change and other climate policies to ensure its compliance with human rights and sustainable development goals in its implementation.

It was also decided to urge the Government to repeal Manipur Palm Oil (Regulation of Production and Processing) Act, 2021, Manipur Hydro Power Policy, 2012, Forest Conservation Bill, 2023, North East Hydrocarbon Vision, 2030 and EIA Notification 2020 among other alleged neoliberal policies.

Other resolutions taken during the consultation programme are-
International Financial Institutions and Corporates should stop financing unsustainable development projects and false climate solutions with social, environment and climate impacts.
Climate finance should desist funding social & environmentally damaging projects;

COP 28 of UNFCCC should desist from any decisions to promote false climate solutions that serve Corporate bodies interest for profiting by plundering peoples land and resources;

All climate change mitigation and adaptation related policies should ensure compliance with indigenous people's rights as per UN Declaration of Indigenous People's Rights, 2007 .

The Government of India, multinational corporations and international financial institutions should recognise indigenous peoples' self-determination right over their land and resources before targeting their land & resources for all development process;

Indigenous peoples' traditional sustainable management of land & natural resources must be promoted in all development decision making process that can affect their land, lives and future;

All MoUs for mega dams, oil exploration, mining, agri-business (viz Palm Oil) pursued without the consent (of the indigenous people) should be revoked for possible adverse impacts on environment, people and climate in Manipur;

Government should stop classifying large dams as renewable & green solution for climate change;

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and other dam companies should stop building Pabam dam & other dams in Manipur.

Decommission the 105 MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project;

Government should review and rescind its plan to promote palm oil plantation in Manipur and North East given its documented adverse impacts on people, environment and climate in other places;

Support the global call for concrete commitments with dedicated resources to address the loss & damages due to impacts of climate change, especially in the light of increased disaster in Manipur;

Stop targeting human rights defenders and communities advancing just development & climate justice.

Moreover, the participants and the resource persons expressed deep concern on the climate change and its impacts in Manipur, such as increased disaster, diseases, high temperatures, flood, drought and biodiversity loss etc.

They also stressed on the threats posed by the oil palm plantation to the environment and farmers, alarming impact of climate change on agriculture and false climate solutions among others.