Local ecosystems take centre stage at Biodiversity Festival
Farmers exchanging seeds at the Biodiversity Festival 2020 in Chizami. (Photo Courtesy: NEN)
DIMAPUR, MARCH 6 (MExN): Day two of the North East Network’s (NEN) Biodiversity Festival at Chizami saw a celebration of the rich diversity of the North East and an acknowledgement of the contributions made by communities towards conserving biodiversity, genetic diversity in particular.
It was an affirmation to create a synergy between the young and the old, the traditional and the modern, said Seno Tsuhah, Director, Programmes, NEN. She also spoke of the need to promote diverse livelihoods that strengthen local ecosystems. For this to happen, we need multiple solutions and approaches and not just one solution, she added.
The festival was held under the theme ‘Embracing Cultural Diversity and Biodiversity for a Resilient Future,’ and saw the participation of around 300 people representing farming communities from Phek, Dimapur, Mokochung, Tuensang, Noklak, Kiphire in Nagaland, members of Millet Network of India (MINI) and All India Millet Sisters’ Network (AIMS) from Telangana and Gujarat, NGO representatives from Guwahati, Shillong, Darjeeling, Bangalore and officials from the State Government.
MLA & Advisor for IT&C, Science & Technology, New & Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon stressed on the need to address the carbon emission problem, adding that preservation of seeds, biological resources and culture is of paramount importance. On the challenges of biopiracy, he assured that the government will develop modalities to protect the “rights of our people vi-a-vis our traditional knowledge systems.”
Supongnukshi Ao, IFS, Member Secretary, NSBB said that the two biggest challenges confronting Nagaland are climate change and the alienation of youth from their natural resource based livelihoods. He informed that the State Biodiversity Board (SSB) is planning to address issues pertaining to the preservation of traditional knowledge, agricultural practices, and biodiversity.
