Shillong (Meghalaya), July 6 : Meghalaya today launched the Think20 (T20) conference in Shillong with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma officially addressing the ceremony. The T20 conference titled “Nature Solves: A New Framework for Our Sustainable Future” will serve as an idea bank for G20 by bringing together think tanks and high-level experts to discuss policy issues relevant to G20.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, CM Conrad Sangma said, “The meeting has brought diverse minds and green intellectual to find possible sustainable blue prints for the future. The people of Meghalaya have been deeply connected to nature since ages. We are blessed with rich biodiversity and our forefathers have been protecting this heaven for ages.”
The CM highlighted Meghalaya’s sustainable culture and lifestyle that has always been in harmony with Mother Earth. “We are all humbled by the wisdom and harmony that nature demonstrates, and we take a great pride of it. Communities of Meghalaya can pioneer the conservation based lifestyle for the world and create a new social and economic order,” said CM Sangma.
The T20 conference today began with an insight into the Sacred Groves of Meghalaya. The CM said, “Sacred Groves are holy and divine parts of forest and represent our age- old tradition of environmental conservation based on indigenous knowledge and culture. There are about 100 Sacred Groves, spanning over 10,000 hectares and more than 150 of community owned Reserved forests covering over 2,500 Hectares in the state of Meghalaya, which are preserved by our communities with utmost reverence. Our government has initiated Green Meghalaya, one of its unique kind, through which the communities are rewarded for preserving and protecting the natural cover. We aim to preserve 2 lakh hectares of forest cover over the next 5 years, through this program.”
He also announced that through the Centre of Excellence for Climate Change in Shillong, the Government is contemplating to create awareness amongst school and college students.
“Our government has initiated Green Meghalaya, one of its unique kind, through which the communities are rewarded for preserving and protecting the natural cover. We aim to preserve 2 lakh hectares of forest cover over the next 5 years, through this program. We are also working relentlessly to improve and maintain the serenity of this Heaven we call home. We are working on a comprehensive action plan to tackle climate change – ‘State Action Plan on Climate Change 2.0’. It will help us identify the key problems by analysing data derived from scientific studies, vulnerability assessment and provide corresponding action plans to mitigate them”, he informed.
He further said that we need to support initiatives that promote sustainable practices, such as regenerative agriculture, reforestation, and the development of renewable energy sources. By doing so, a virtuous cycle will be created, where economic growth is intertwined with ecological well-being.
Chief Secretary, Meghalaya ,DP Wahlang while addressing the T20 conclave spoke at length about climate change and the initiatives taken to restore the balance. He cited two situations that signaled the change in the State. Narrating these, he said that about 40 years ago, oranges were abundant in a village that is beyond Mawsynram, whereas, last year due to changes in soil as well as climate, local harvests were impacted and oranges were no longer available. The Chief Secretary also stated the replacement of Duli by refrigerators. “We earlier did not have fans at office. Now we do. A lot of it has changed.
During his address, the Chief Secretary emphasized on Meghalaya’s Payment for Eco-System Services (PES). It is a unique programme that will cover almost 50,000 hectares of land under PES. “We have completed plantation in 17,000 hectares. We are hoping that with the engagement of local communities, the balance will be completed soon. We also have a forest management plan, which covers 1000 villages. There is forestation going on in all over the rural areas. More than 6,500 young boys and girls will help the communities to ensure the management plan in the rural areas.
Joint Secretary (G20) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Eenam Gambhir, during her address highlighted the various initiatives and dialogues adopted as part of the G20 presidency. “India’s priority on LiFE epitomized the theme of Indian Presidency ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ like no other concept and was also an urgent call to action,” she said.
“For the people of Meghalaya and other such traditional communities in India LiFE Lifestyle for Environment is a way of life not only for individuals but also for their economies, policies and societies. Meghalaya has long championed the idea of a holistic economy which recognizes the value of nature and preserving environment. The complex web of community actions, Government policies as well as multi stakeholder partnerships make the growth model of Meghalaya one of the leading examples for growth strategies needed to build a sustainable future,” she added.
Think20 (T20) is an official Engagement Group of the G20. It serves as an “idea bank” for the G20 by bringing together think tanks and high-level experts to discuss policy issues relevant to the G20. T20 recommendations are synthesized into policy briefs and presented to G20 working groups, ministerial meetings, and leaders’ summit to help the G20 deliver concrete policy measures.
Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) as the Think20 (T20) Secretariat under India’s G20 Presidency, has hosted the Think20 Conference.
The Conference was also graced by Samir Saran, T20 Chair and President of the Observer Research Foundation, India, eminent members of the multilateral and think tank community, including Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, and Federico Salas Lotfe, Ambassador of Mexico to India.
Policymakers, academicians, bureaucrats, and experts from multilateral agencies representing 14 G20 countries, including ADB, World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, and TIPS have come together on a common platform to exchange ideas and collaborate on complex local and global challenges, including green growth, women-led development, climate finance, nature-based solutions for climate action, and the interplay with green transitions and the future of work. With over 60 speakers from various countries, the conference is expected to generate discussions and recommendations that will contribute to the finalization of the “Meghalaya Manifesto,” a policy framework for Nature-Positive solutions to combat climate change.
