Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT, Feb 12: The 14th edition of North East Leaders Connect was hosted here in Pasighat from February 9-11 at Abor Country resort by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu and Mebo MLA, Oken Tayeng. Leaders from various North Eastern states like Baichung Bhutia, Dr. Lalrintluanga, Karma Paljor, G.G. Kamei, Hekani Jakhalu, Dr. Atoho, Mhon Kikon, Bjorn Deniese and Tanushree Hazarika participated with great enthusiasm while discussing various issues concerning the Northeast. 
Speaking at the sidelines of the NELC meeting, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that this is the 3rd meeting of the NELC in Arunachal Pradesh and the basic idea and objective of the meeting is to give platform ‘Ecopreneur Fellowship’ to the younger generation by hand-holding them in the field of forest and diversity conservation. 
“The potential of Northeast in terms of biodiversity and forest coverage is huge, in fact we have the country’s one fourth forest coverage and so we need to take up sustainable developments while protecting and preserving our natural heritage.”
Khandu added that selected youths from Northeastern states will work on a conservation project which is run by North East Leaders Connect (NELC) in collaboration with the Möbius Foundation and the University of Cambridge. “The selected youths, all forestry graduates will help implement the Pani Pahar curriculum across schools, train locals in project management, and engage in research to boost policy discourse with the aim of strengthening the fight against climate change,” added Khandu.
When asked about the government’s take on curbing deforestation, Khandu said that the community and civil society also need to come forward in protecting and preserving the forests and wildlife. “The government alone can’t do it, people also need to protect it, as the impact if any due to deforestation will be upon the public.”
Former Indian football captain, Baichung Bhutia also shared similar thoughts stressing the need to change traditional system of hunting and damaging forests. “We need to keep everything in balance today in order to stop climate change as forest coverage in the northeast is getting affected. We have visited villages like Silluk known for its cleanliness and Aohali for zero hunting etc which is becoming an example for the entire northeastern states,” he added. 
Host of the event, Oken Tayeng, MLA Mebo and Member NTAC, Chairman, ATOAI North East Chapter, expressed his views on the success of the NELC 14th meeting in Pasighat. “I am privileged to welcome and host Chief Minister, Pema Khandu and esteemed friends and fellows at the NE Leaders Connect Conclave in Pasighat. This gathering brings together visionary leaders and change makers from diverse fields across the Northeast to discuss growth, opportunities, and collaboration for a brighter and more prosperous future for our region,” he added.
Northeast Leader Connect NELC, earlier known as Young Leaders Connect is a landmark initiative that provides a common platform for young leaders and achievers from the North-East, launched in 2011 in Kohima, Nagaland. North East Leaders Connect is an annual conclave where young change-makers and leaders from diverse fields like business, politics, academia, sports, music and culture come together, put their heads and hearts together to plan where they would like to see India vis-à-vis North East in the future, plan a roadmap, and strategize on interventions at the grassroots and policy level.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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