Shillong, Jan 30: Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Dr Shakil P. Ahammed underscored the importance of nature-based and community-led conservation efforts in Meghalaya, noting that environmental stewardship in the state is deeply rooted in traditional practices and local governance systems.
Speaking at the two-day international conference titled “Scaling Nature-based Solutions for Himalayan Resilience” in Shillong, he highlighted that Meghalaya is among the greenest states in the country, with the majority of forest areas under community management, including sacred forests and community-protected fish sanctuaries that support biodiversity and livelihoods.
The conference is being jointly organised by the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
The conference brings together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, development partners, private sector representatives, youth, and community leaders from across the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and the wider Hindu Kush Himalaya region. The event aims to advance Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as a central strategy for strengthening climate resilience and promoting sustainable development across mountain ecosystems.
Dr. Ahammed drew attention to traditional innovations such as the living root bridges and bioengineered structures created by weaving tree roots across streams describing them as powerful symbols of intergenerational ecological responsibility. He emphasized that conservation efforts must focus on securing resources for future generations.
Despite high rainfall, he noted that the state faces seasonal water stress due to terrain and runoff patterns, with significant water outflow downstream. He referenced climate vulnerability assessments indicating rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and district-level risks. In response, the state has introduced integrated policies and programmes covering water resource management, electric mobility, organic farming, and forest protection.
He also highlighted key achievements including large-scale mapping of streams and springs, revival of critical springsheds, expansion of ecosystem and forest protection measures, strengthening of community cooperatives, and livelihood support through community-based natural resource management programmes supported by national and international partners.
The conference programme includes high-level policy dialogues, technical sessions, community knowledge exchanges, youth engagements, and focused discussions on NbS financing and technology. It is structured around a three-tier outcome framework: developing actionable NbS pathways for Meghalaya, generating policy and finance recommendations for scaling NbS across the Indian Himalayan Region, and strengthening regional collaboration on mountain-focused NbS strategies.
During the inaugural session, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Meghalaya and Nepal to promote cooperation and knowledge exchange on Nature-based Solutions and mountain resilience.
In addition, PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-driven Enterprises) stalls were set up at the venue, showcasing local enterprises and community-based products linked to sustainable livelihoods.
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