Shillong: Govts of Meghalaya and Nepal on Friday signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange on nature-based solutions and mountain resilience. The agreement was formalised during the inaugural session of a two-day international conference titled “Scaling Nature-based Solutions for Himalayan Resilience” held in Shillong from Jan 30-31.The conference is jointly organised by the Meghalaya basin development authority and the international centre for integrated mountain development. It brings together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, development partners, private sector representatives, youth, and community leaders from across the Indian Himalayan Region and the wider Hindu Kush Himalaya. The event aims to advance nature-based solutions as a central strategy for climate resilience and sustainable development in mountain ecosystems.
“Indian Himalayan Region is among the most climate-vulnerable areas globally, facing risks from erratic rainfall, extreme weather events, ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, floods, and landslides. These challenges threaten water security, food systems, livelihoods, and human settlements, underscoring the need for integrated, landscape-level responses that safeguard both ecological integrity and community well-being,” an official statement read.Meghalaya chief secretary Shakil P Ahammed underscored the importance of community-led conservation efforts in the state.
