01st Chhattisgarh Green Summit Highlights Ecotourism, Forest Dwellers Upliftment, and Forest Sustainability
Raipur chhattisgarh VISHESH New Delhi/ Raipur, October 4, 2024: The second day of the 1st Chhattisgarh Green Summit 2024 continued with robust participation at the DDU Auditorium in Raipur. Organised by the Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change Department in association with Vibgyor N.E. Foundation, Prajna Pravah, NIT Raipur, and Amity University Chhattisgarh, this three-day event (October 3-5) focusses on promoting environmental sustainability while integrating indigenous Lok traditions into the development discourse. This summit serves as a prelude to the 4th edition of LokManthan, scheduled for November 22-24, 2024, in Bhagyanagar.
The journey of LokManthan, conceptualized as a “Colloquium of Nation First Thinkers and Practitioners” started in 2016 and has evoked massive public response. LokManthan 2024 – aimed at bringing together thousands of artists, thinkers, intellectuals and social activists from across the country-is a cultural mahakumbh, that reshapes narratives and equips the nation to embrace its civilizational role.
Today’s agenda opened with several engaging panel discussions, starting with a session on Forest Policy for Sustainable Utilisation of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). This session focused on policy interventions to ensure sustainable and equitable use of NTFPs, critical for the economic development of forest communities. Participants in the session included Prof. Sudip Mitra, IIT-Guwahati, and Shri Anand Babu, IFS PCCF & Director, SFRTI, Chhattisgarh, among others.
Following this, a panel on Climate Change and its Impact on Forests and People explored mechanisms for access and benefit-sharing of biodiversity resources, as well as transparent carbon credit models for the forestry sector. Key contributors included Shri Arun Pandey, IFS APCCF, State Centre for Climate Change, Chhattisgarh, Padma Shri Chami Murmu, Sahyogi Mahila Mandal, Jharkhand, and Dr. Priyadarshani Karve, National Convenor, INECC, Pune, among others.
Shri Sonmoni Borah, IAS Principal Secretary, Tribal Development Department, Chhattisgarh, highlighted the government’s efforts, stating, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan’ in Hazaribagh, aiming to uplift tribal villages and economically empower the population. Key objectives include constructing houses, roads, and bridges, and providing essential services like clean water, gas, and electricity. The initiative also focuses on preserving tribal culture, encouraging agriculture and horticulture, and promoting eco-tourism. While development and migration are challenges, progress is being made, and we remain hopeful for better outcomes.”
Speaking on the significance of preserving cultural heritage, Bitopi Basumatary Luhoe, Secretary of Vibgyor N.E. Foundation, remarked, “We must not only protect our environment but also ensure that the traditions and practices of indigenous communities are upheld. This summit is an excellent platform for driving that dialogue forward.”
Another important session addressed Spatial Planning in Forest Management. The discussion highlighted the use of technology, including remote sensing and mapping, to improve forest conservation, with a focus on transparency and accountability. Panelists like Padamshri Popatrao Pawar, Sarpanch- Hirwe Bazar, Maharashtra, Prof. Vivek Kumar, IIT-Delhi, shared their insights.
The session on Ecotourism as a Tool for Forest Conservation centered on promoting responsible ecotourism that respects tribal traditions and local development. Rakesh Mathur, Honorary President of RTSOI, emphasised, “Until we look upon the earth as our mother, we will never fully grasp our responsibilities towards protecting her. Tourism has led to plastic waste and environmental damage, as seen in destinations like Goa and Rajasthan. We must shift towards responsible ecotourism that promotes long-term environmental health.”
Mathur further pointed to the waste generated by destination weddings and luxury hotels. “A single destination wedding can leave behind mountains of plastic waste. We need to redefine luxury in the hospitality industry, moving towards sustainability and away from extravagance,” he said, advocating for renewable energy and the elimination of single-use plastics.
The day concluded with a session on the Development Perspective of Forest Dwelling Communities. Discussions centered on social empowerment, cultural revival, and the recognition of traditional knowledge systems. Speakers such as Dr. Sanjay Alangh, Retd. IAS, Shri V. Sreenivasa Rao, IFS PCCF & HOFF, Chhattisgarh and Shri Alok Tiwari, IFS contributed to the dialogue.
The summit will advance tomorrow with sessions focused on wetland restoration, greening urban landscapes, and discussions on biodiversity and carbon credits.
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