Mountain Legislators Meet 2021 was held during 10 th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS), in Darjeeling on 20 th November 2021 with the theme Pathways for Plastic Waste Management in the Indian Himalayan Region. The Meet was organised by Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), local host Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
The Chief Guest of the Meet was Shri Chowna Mein, Hon’ble Dy. Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh and Guest of Honour was Shri James Sangma, Minister (Environment and Forest), Meghalaya. The Discussion was chaired by Session Chair Shri Vincent Pala, MP Lok Sabha (Shillong), and moderated by Shri PD Rai, President IMI, and former MP Lok Sabha Sikkim.
The Meet brought together over 19 elected representatives and former representatives of various bodies from the Indian Himalayan Region, and included MPs, MLAs, Chairman of Autonomous District Council, Mayor, and other prominent members.
The Meet included a state of affairs presentation on UNEP’s Counter MEASURE II project which aims at informing and influencing national policies, institutions and alliances through the generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge on plastic pollution of rivers in India.
The legislators discussed on the issue of waste crisis in the hill stations of India, especially on the growing plastic pollution and its impact on mountain landscapes. The members also deliberated on potential solutions and policy mechanisms that can effectively tackle the plastic waste in the mountains.
Delivering the Keynote Address as Chief Guest, Shri Chowna Mein emphasized on the adverse impact of plastic pollution on the overall health of the people and also highlighted the recent Climate Change Declaration of Arunachal Pradesh on the principles of ‘Panchamrit’.
Shri James Sangma brought to attention various crucial issues on the topic including the need for bringing in nature and economics together for a sustainable, resilient future for the region.
The Meet also adopted the MLM 2021 Declaration (Download here)
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