Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio made a strong plea for realizing a responsibility for preserving the mountains and their delicate ecosystem, the treasure troves of biodiversity, minerals and sources of water, energy, key resources of minerals, forest products and agricultural products and of recreation.
Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit III in the NBCC Convention Centre here Wednesday, Rio said mountains were home to hundreds of cultures and people and their knowledge systems.
He said North East India was one of the 35 biodiversity hotspots of the world and urged the gathering for a need to maintain the ecosystem of the Himalayan Mountains.
Rio said the mountain states of India were yet to benefit on the basis of the Kyoto Protocol and hoped the issue could be discussed at the ongoing summit.
He however maintained that irrespective of whether compensation was paid or not, the need for maintaining the ecosystem of the Himalayan mountains cannot be compromised at any cost.
The chief minister said planning for mountain regions should encompass the cultures, the values and the systems of our ancestors and at the same time, trying to meet the aspirations of our future generation.
Reflecting on the importance of Sustainability, Rio suggested in finding out ways of innovating our own models of development that could be presented before the world, for them to see and appreciate.
He said the challenges of urbanization were disastrous to the mountain ecosystems and there was need to recalibrate concepts of urbanization adding that cities like Kohima, Gangtok, Aizawl or Nainital were struggling under the weight of urbanization and its effects.
Neiphiu Rio also highlighted Nagaland’s plans to decongest uplands by developing foothill roads covering 250 kms across six districts for industrial and economic development goals. Rio also shared the state’s plans to develop a superhighway and a railway line along the foothills so as to enable creation of future cities and industrial growth centres.
Rio said he was encouraged by the participation of many dignitaries from the various states, the central government and various organizations from India and UN agencies and later declared the summit open,
Nagaland is host to the 3 day SMDS III which is being organized by the Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland (SDFN) under the aegis of IMI.
Dignitaries from various mountain states, the Central government, various organizations from India and abroad, UN agencies and around 300 delegates are participating in the Summit.
Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim and convenor IMI P.D. Rai who said IMI has a great vision that mountain states of India recognize the value of mountain regions and their potential.
Resident coordinator United Nations New Delhi Lise Grande said 700 million people survive through Himalayan range eco-system having 18,000 plants species including medicals plants.
Others who spoke included Joint secretary ministry of environment & forests, GOI Delhi B.M.S. Rathore, councilor and director of cooperation, Embassy of Switzerland New Delhi Janine Kuriger, Director general International centre for Integrated mountain development David Molden and program manager CCA- NER, GIZ Shillong Meghalaya Helga Fink.
Nagaland chief secretary and convenor SMDS-III Alemtemshi Jamir delivered welcome address, and invocation prayer by R.P. Murry treasurer NBCC, special number Adolescent Girls group (“Any Dream Will Do).