The efforts of Forest and Environment Minister James Sangma to burnish his green credentials of late have borne some fruit after he was invited to be the keynote speaker at the online training workshop, “Northeast Narratives”, organised by Down To Earth, which will be held on October 22.
Sangma will be addressing a delegation of journalists and members of the media fraternity from across the North East to brief them on the effects that climate change has brought about in the entire country, the effects of which are also being felt across this region. He will be highlighting some of the key environmental issues of Meghalaya and how the Forest and Environment Department is taking initiatives to work with local indigenous communities to implement long-term solutions, a press release said.
“Like most of the regions in India, the North East is also grappling with the disastrous impacts of climate change. The region is undergoing significant changes in the frequency of extreme temperatures and rainfall patterns over the last few years that is affecting agriculture, livelihoods and the health of the people,” Sangma was quoted as saying.
He will be speaking on how climate change is a growing reality in the North East and how Meghalaya, with its forested lands and unique biodiversity, can spearhead the initiative of putting into action robust measures and strategies to tackle climate change.
Organisers of the workshop aim to create awareness and brief the attending media fraternity on what climate change is doing to the region and how communities are coping with it. The workshop will specifically cover the impacts of climate change in the North East and present the opportunity to encourage actions and solutions to build a holistic climate change adaptation strategy.