Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) and the Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights in Manipur (YFPHR) organised a “Consultation on Climate Change in Manipur and COP 26” in the context of deepening climate crisis amid the ongoing 26th Session of the Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Glasgow, Scotland
TFM Desk
The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) and the Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights in Manipur (YFPHR) organised a “Consultation on Climate Change in Manipur and COP 26” at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal on Monday.
The consultation is being organized in the context of deepening climate crisis amid the ongoing 26th Session of the Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Glasgow, Scotland till November 12, 2021.
Secretary of Irabot Foundation Gopen Kh, President of the Loktak Fishery Welfare Association Heisnam Chaoba, Co-Convenor People for Human Rights and Climate Change Phamila Tuithung graced as presidium members of the consultation.
Presenting his keynote, Coordinator YFPHR Naorem Sumarjit shared the worsening Climate Change impacts in Manipur viz, record high temperatures, increased flood, drought, diseases, crop failure, biodiversity loss, etc has unleashed livelihood loss and displacement of communities.
Secretary CRA Jiten Yumnam expressed concern with the aggressive pursuance of unsustainable development processes in Manipur, viz, mega dams, mining, oil exploration, that targeted peoples’ land, forest, water and resources and that worsened land loss and climate crisis in Manipur. The Government should desist promoting false climate change solutions, such as pursuance of palm oil and large dams. All MoUs for mega dams, oil exploration, mining, agri-business (viz. Palm Oil) pursued without their consent should be revoked for possible adverse impacts on environment, people and climate in Manipur.
Laishram Imoba, Young People for Social Reform shared the challenges of negotiations at the COP 26 of UNFCCC, including the pursuance of a false solution, promotion of corporate interest and disregard of indigenous peoples’ rights and concerns.
Heisnam Chaoba of Loktak Fishery Welfare Association stated that Manipur is affected by the climate crisis. The 105 MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric project caused submergence of agricultural land in Loktak region, worsening the climate change situation, besides loss of livelihood for many depending on the wetland.
Gopen Khunjan of Irabot Foundation shared that Manipur has seen increased wildfire, pollution, decline in food production, contamination of Rivers, wetlands, loss of forest due to climate change. The Government has failed to protect the remaining agricultural land, which is threatened with land grabbing.
The consultation adopted various resolutions to stop promoting false climate solutions, to stop unsustainable projects that destroy peoples land, forest and livelihood and to uphold indigenous peoples’ rights, to revoke all MOUs for mining, oil exploration, dam building, palm oil cultivation, etc in Manipur.