NE Green Summit Aims to Create a Roadmap for Sustainable Development of the North East

Shillong ( PR Submission Site ) October 22, 2018 : After the phenomenal success of the 1st and 2nd Northeast Green Summits held in the year 2016 and 2017, the 3rd Summit is once again all set to provide a platform where effective solutions for key environmental challenges faced in Northeast India can emerge.

It may be mentioned that the 3rd edition of the Northeast Green Summit 2018 would begin at the State Convention Centre in Shillong on October 24, 2018.

Several ministers from the Northeastern States besides Tripura’s Deputy Chief Minister, Jishnu Debbarma, are participating in the Summit. Padmashri Jadav Payeng, also known as the ‘Forest Man of India’, will also grace the Summit.

The Summit – scheduled to wind up on October 26, 2018 – will be addressed by the Governor of Meghalaya, Tathagata Roy, during the valedictory session.

The Summit, conceptualized by Guwahati-based Vibgyor Media Solutions, is being co-hosted by the Government of Meghalaya’s Meghalaya Pollution Control Board, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and Social Forestry and Environment wing, Forest and Environment Department, Government of Meghalaya.

The summit is also being partnered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ministry of Food Processing, besides agencies and organizations of all the eight states and others.

The main mandate of Northeast Green Summit is to focus on inclusive and sustainable development – delivering jobs and growth while protecting and nurturing the natural habitat and heritage in the region.

Chairman of Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, CP Marak, who is also the Chairman of the Summit’s organizing committee, said, “The impact of urbanization has been felt in Northeastern India just like in other parts of India.”

He cited the example of the traffic plague, which has not even spared the hill stations of Northeast besides the impact on natural resources, be it forest, drinking water, or other infrastructural requirements of land caused by urbanization.

“Environmental issues do not respect political boundaries, it goes beyond it and therefore, it is all the more important that those involved in the Northeast come together in a forum like this,” added Marak.

The 3-day-summit will bring together participants and key stakeholders from state governments, the private sector, and PSUs, besides international development organizations for multiple bespoke sessions focusing on the goals of the Summit.

Dr Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) – which is the co-host of the Summit – said, “The Summit is very important for the very sustenance of the Northeastern states.”

Mentioning that urbanization is taking place in a rapid way, Sahoo added, “The impact of climate change is quite distinctly visible in the Northeast in terms of landslide, flood and rainfall.”

“This probably is the first time policy makers, scholars and practitioners will sit together to chart out a roadmap for sustainable development of the north east.” said Nilanjan Roy, Advisory Board member ( North east green Summit)