Pledge to protect biodiversity marks Indigenous Peoples' Day in Meghalaya
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Shillong: The North East Slow Food and Agro-biodiversity Society (NESFAS) celebrated this year's International Day for the World's Indigenous Peoples at Liarsluid in Ri-Bhoi district on Saturday on the global theme, 'Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures', with focus on protection of biodiversity and traditional food systems.
Rimiki Syiem, headman, Liarsluid village, expressed his gratitude to NESFAS for their continued support towards the community in promoting sustainable food. Vice-chairperson Rikynti Syiem emphasised on the need for the younger generation of indigenous communities to turn back to their roots and the need for these communities to work towards conserving the rich biodiversity which they are custodians of.
Bhogtoram Mawroh, research consultant, NESFAS, talked about the rights of indigenous peoples in his keynote address and also highlighted the 'many persecutions' they faced worldwide and how their movements have come to define the rights of indigenous communities today.
Gilbert Khongsit, farmer and community facilitator, who spoke on behalf of the communities, maintained that modern farming doesn't only affect the human body but also the health of the soil as well as water reservoirs and groundwater.
"It's time to raise awareness and educate fellow farmers on the importance of strengthening traditional, pesticide-free farming. By doing so, we can ensure access to safe, healthy food and protect both our environment and the fertility of our soil," he said.
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Journalist Patricia Mukhim highlighted the importance of preserving knowledge of herbal medicines and spoke about the links between education, poverty, and nutrition, noting with concern that 'many children still suffer from undernourishment despite the availability of healthy foods'.
The formal event was followed by a farmers' market where community members from Plasha, Umwang Nongbah, and Liarsluid of Ri Bhoi district and Mawstep, Mawbri, and Laitlyndop of East Khasi Hills brought and sold their agricultural produce.
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