Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said that the climate crisis is not just an environmental challenge, but a fundamental issue of justice and equity.
Speaking at the Climate Investments Coalition for the Global South in New Delhi, he said that those who have contributed the least to climate change are suffering the most, and it is essential to address this disparity.
He said that Meghalaya as a state has taken the climate concerns seriously, and has charted out intervention to mitigate. He informed the gathering on the traditional conservation knowledge and practices which are being adopted to address the global crisis.
“Our communities are deeply rooted to nature, their knowledge about conservation, protection of natural resources are being widely promoted and adopted for sustainable solutions,” he said.
Talking about erratic monsoons, increased disasters, affecting lives, he spoke in length on the unpredictable rainfall patterns, extreme weather, which has impacted agriculture and livelihood for millions globally, and Meghalaya is not an exception.
“Climate change threatens economic stability and future growth, making it essential to realign global climate platforms with the realities of the Global South,” he said, while informing on the government’s commitment to sustainability.
He said that Meghalaya is leading forest conservation and community led environmental initiatives with active collaboration and partnership with the community.
“We are implementing programme like Green Meghalaya, Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) to encourage community partnership in conservation of forest and protection of catchment areas, rejuvenation of water sources,” he said, while underscoring the importance of green growth policies of the state that has been integrated with the economic development and ecological responsibilities.
He also informed the gathering on the investments being made in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Speaking on the importance of collaboration and cooperation among the Northeastern states in addressing climate-related issues, he said that the region’s unique geography makes it vulnerable to extreme weather events, which can have far-reaching consequences.
“For instance, a severe weather event in Arunachal Pradesh can affect Assam, and rising water levels in the Brahmaputra river can cause flooding not only in Assam but also in western parts of Meghalaya,” he said, while informing that to effectively tackle these challenges, the Northeastern states has to work together, sharing their expertise and resources to develop strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change.
He also spoke on the potential benefits of forging partnerships with countries in South and Southeast Asia, particularly through the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
He also informed the gathering on budrot disease that has affected areca nut plantations in the Garo Hills and Western Khasi Hills region. “This disease has not only affected the local economy but has sent alarm bells ringing on the need for sustainable agricultural practices and climate-resilient farming systems,” he stressed.
The Climate Investments Coalition for the Global South (CICS) organised by the State government in collaboration with National Law University Meghalaya is aimed to provide a platform to drive discussions on mobilizing climate finance, accelerating green investments, and strengthening South-South cooperation. The climate programme will be held annually in the month of September-October in Shillong.
The programme also showcased Meghalaya’s model of sustainable development and created pathways for scaling similar solutions across the Global South.
