Resilience of Lepcha community of Sikkim recalled in C20 conclave

IPR, GANGTOK, APRIL 30, 2023 : Speaking at a round table on ‘Sustainable and Resilient Practices Prevalent in Indigenous Communities’ at the second day of the C20 Conclave in Gangtok on Sunday, Sikkim Government Deputy Director Tom Tshering Lepcha spoke about the Lepcha community which had historically displayed resilience in the face of numerous natural disasters and epidemics..  

He  stated  that  the Lepchas had shown that there was a natural mechanism that was based on the social-fabric of their existence that one might survive from calamities, both natural and man-made, and rise once more.

He suggested that a ‘Traditional Knowledge Institute’ be set up so that the system of traditional knowledge could be professionally documented and discussed locally, nationally,  and  globally for biodiversity and sustainable development.

Speaker from Comunidaddiaguita Taucan, Chilems, Ivanna Olivares Miranda spoke about a mining  firm  which  had  a  long history of violating human rights and seriously contaminating both surface and subsurface water supplies.

She explained how almost all the indigenous community members had stopped working the land due to the catastrophic drought that had been going on for more than 10 years due  to  hoarding of water by the mega mining firm. This had made it impossible for them to continue with their traditional agricultural practices.

She emphasized:  "It  must  be clear that this process involves a brand-new  stage  of  mining  and displacement in the areas inhabited by indigenous peoples." In addition, there were  issues with wealth transfer, exploitation of  the land and  disturbance of its natural cycles, and threats to the rights of the indigenous people and the region as a whole.

Speaker from Sarayakunin the Amazon region of Ecuador Patricia Gualinga said the vision  of indigenous peoples offered a critical contribution to protecting ecosystems as important as  the Amazon. It is time for humans to rediscover their true nature and see themselves as a part of nature once more. The Amazon was known as the "lungs of the world," one of the most significant sources of fresh water; and an environment that helped keep planet Earth in balance, she said. It also had a unique biodiversity and ancient indigenous civilizations.

She said: "It is crucial that we act from different spheres and realities, put aside our egos, and know that we all inhabit a common home that is Mother Earth. Let's work together because we are all related to one another," she stated, and "let's discuss creating a more fair,  balanced, and sustainable society that motivates us to keep going.

"At the plenary session on the topic Net-Zero Electricity, Transport and Industry, CEO Vasudha Foundation Srinivas Krishnaswami spoke about global emissions, renewable energy and green initiatives, including  the crucial access to technology at affordable costs. 

He also spoke about adequate and appropriate safety net requirements to ensure that no one was left behind in the transitional journey.

M.P. from Odisha Sujeet Kuma spoke about the necessity of policy intervention to ensure fossil fuel reduction and to navigate the global transportation through electric vehicles. Director, Impact and Performance, Climate-KIC (Europe) Thanh-Tâm Lê spoke about the EU Green Deal and how Europe aimed to become  the  first  climate  neutral continent by 2050. 

Senior Advisor, Climate Science and Global Energy Policy, Climate Action Network International. Stephan Singer spoke about the importance of wind that had by far been the largest technical cost-effective potentials. He mentioned the importance of reduction  of methane from coal and gas and capture and storage of carbon from fossil fuel.