Consultation on Climate Change in Manipur & COP 27 of UNFCCC
- at Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Keithel : 4 November 2022 -

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Climate Change in Manipur & COP 27 of UNFCCC at Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Keithel : 4 November 2022

The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) and the Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights in Manipur (YFPHR) organized a consultation on “Climate Change in Manipur & COP 27 of UNFCCC” at the Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Keithel on 4 November 2022. Various civil society leaders and environmentalist shared experiences on climate change and related issues in Manipur.

Mr. Jennison Urikhimbam of YFPHR in his key note address shared that climate change and crisis is an obvious reality in Manipur that already impact the most vulnerable. International financial institutions increasingly financing unsustainable projects, such as mining, extractives, dam building, infrastructure projects, which will only worsen climate impacts.

Climate crisis already induced displacement and impoverishment of communities. He expressed concerns that the efforts to find solutions to climate crisis is corporate oriented, while marginalizing the poor and the vulnerable. A people centric development approach is crucial. Development process should be people oriented and not for the corporates.

Mr. Jiten Yumnam, Secretary, CRA, expressed concerns with unsustainable and neoliberal development processes, viz, dam building, mining, oil exploration, road and railways, palm oil plantations etc that only worsened loss of peoples land, forest and wetlands. Further, he expressed concern with the false climate change solutions pursued in Manipur and efforts of corporate bodies to seek profit by plundering natural resources of Manipur.

The government should stop counting mega dams as renewable energy to mitigate climate change. All climate change mitigation and adaptation related initiatives and policies should ensure compliance with indigenous peoples’ rights as per UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples Rights, 2007.

Climate Change in Manipur & COP 27 of UNFCCC at Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Keithel : 4 November 2022

Mr. T. Sadishchandra, General Secretary of YFPHR expressed concern with the shrinking civil society spaces and the increased targeting of human rights defenders striving for land rights and for climate justice. All development processes and efforts for climate change solutions should be rooted in the respect of the rights of indigenous peoples and consider the development alternatives forwarded. The push for palm oil in Manipur needs serious review and should not be pursued arbitrarily.

Ms. Nongpoknganbi of Human Rights Initiative shared that locally available and appropriate resources and Indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge and practices should be promoted for its resilience to climate change and as adaptation measures. Bamboo, which is source of food, traditional handicraft and housing materials can be promoted in Manipur for its time proven myriad benefits.

Mr. Cecil Thounaojam, environment activist stressed the importance of recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples over their land and resources and to ensure their rightful participation in all development decision affecting their land. The sustainable management of land and natural resources, including role of women, youths etc and their low consumption and carbon oriented way of life must be promoted in all development decision making processes that can affect their land and lives.

Climate Change in Manipur & COP 27 of UNFCCC at Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Keithel : 4 November 2022

The participants adopted the following resolutions:

1) The Government of India, corporations and international financial institutions should protect and promote indigenous peoples self-determined rights over their land and resources and should take their free, prior and informed consent before targeting their land and resources.

2) All MoUs for mega dams, oil exploration, mining, agri-business (viz. Palm Oil) pursued without their consent should be revoked for possible adverse impacts on environment, people and climate in Manipur. The MOUs granted to Rourkela Private Ltd, Sarvesh Refractories, Gulf Natural Resources for mining and to Jubilant Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd and to Oil India Limited for oil exploration in Manipur should be revoked.

3) All neoliberal policies, such as Forest Conservation Rules, 2022, Manipur Hydro Power Policy, 2012, North East hydrocarbon vision 2030, Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006, the Mining and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2015 etc, EIA Notification, 2020, that facilitated the plunder of peoples’ land, forest, rivers and mineral resources should be repealed.

4) Dam building companies, viz, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) should stop building 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric project and other dams that will destroy forest, agriculture land, river and peoples’ livelihood. All MoUs with NHPC and NEEPCO for dams should be revoked.

5) The Government should review and rescind its plan to promote palm oil plantation in Manipur and North East given its documented adverse impacts on people, environment and climate in other places.

6) International Financial Institutions and corporates should stop financing unsustainable development projects and false climate solutions with social, environment and climate impacts. Climate finance should desist funding social and environmentally damaging projects.

7) Rescind all false climate change solutions that violate indigenous peoples’ human right and their self-determination over their land and resources. COP 27 of UNFCCC should desist from any decisions that serve corporate bodies interest for profiting by plundering peoples land and resources.

8) All climate change mitigation and adaptation related policies should ensure compliance with indigenous peoples’ rights as per UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples Rights, 2007.

9) To support the global call for concrete commitments and dedicated resources to address the loss and damages due to impacts of climate change.

10) Indigenous peoples’ traditional sustainable management of land and natural resources, including role of women, youths etc and their low consumption and carbon oriented way of life must be promoted in all development decision making processes that can affect their land, lives and future.

11) The Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change and other climate policies should be reviewed to ensure its compliance with human rights and sustainable development goals in its implementation.

Climate Change in Manipur & COP 27 of UNFCCC at Jupiter Yambem Centre, Paona Keithel : 4 November 2022

(T. Shadishkanta) Secretary, YFPHR (Jiten Yumnam) Secretary, CRA) Centre For Research And Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) Youth’s Forum For Protecti0n Of Human Rights, (YFPHR)