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Mmhunlumo Kikon speaks to students at an interactive session that was conducted on the theme ‘Taking climate change awareness to the people,’ on November 25 at Model Christian College in Kohima.[/caption]
Dimapur, Nov. 26 (EMN): The Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) in association with the Young Indians (Yi), Nagaland chapter, conducted an interactive session with students on topics of Climate Change under the banner ‘meet your legislator.’ The theme of the event, conducted on November 25 at Model Christian College in Kohima, was ‘Taking Climate Change awareness to the people.’
Mmhonlumo Kikon, advisor for Information Technology, Science and Technology, New and Renewable Energy; and Neichute Doulo, chief executive officer of the Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) were the panel speakers at the event.
The session included an interactive session with students from St. Joseph College and Model Christian College and Higher Secondary School in Kohima, an update from Model Christian College stated on Tuesday.
The updates informed that Doulo had spoken on the importance of trees for long-term impact on the environment. He said that the Entrepreneurs Associates had started the ‘Tree for wealth movement’ with an objective to making Nagaland a fruit hub of India and to transform the economic landscape of the state.
While pointing out that Nagaland has lot of trees despite the practice of jhum cultivation that has been prevalent for hundreds of years, he urged the people to take care of their land and plant more trees. Mentioning that the biggest impact of Climate Change comes from developed countries like the United States, he said every small region like Nagaland can play a part in reducing its effect.
He recalled the recent flash floods in Nagaland during which the Entrepreneurs Associates had played its role in controlling the impact in Kiphire district by starting the ‘rice for trees’ campaign, during which they donated a kilogram of rice for every tree that was planted.
Also speaking during the occasion, Mmhunlumo Kikon highlighted the activities undertaken by the Nagaland government to support the movement against Climate Change. He however stated Climate Change is the responsibility of everyone and not just the government alone. He urged the gathering to play their role in mitigating its impact though “we may not be producing as much wastes and use as much energy as the west.”
The advisor spoke also about the initiatives undertaken by the government in solid waste management. Kikon said that he joined politics because of Climate Change.
The talk was followed by an interactive question-answer session with the panellists. During the hour-long session, students asked several questions touching on the topics of deforestation, role of students in promoting civic sense, promotion of environmental awareness and concerns among political leaders, role of nongovernmental organisations in the state vis-à-vis Climate Change initiatives and the short and long term impact of the efforts they make today.
A painting competition was also organised for students on the theme ‘Unchecked effect of Climate Change in Nagaland – Year 2030.’
It was informed that Zurenthung Odyuo from Model Shigher Secondary School secured the first position and received a cash prize of INR 3000. Thejavinuo Savi from Model Higher Secondary School secured the second position and received cash prize of INR 2000 and Zuben Kikon from St. Joseph College secured the third position and received cash prize of INR 1000.
The programme concluded with a distribution of saplings to all the participants, updates stated.