‘Conference on Environmental Humanities in the Anthropocene Era: Ecojustice and Sustainability’ underway at Fazl Ali College

Mokokchung: NGOs and institutions have responsibility to lead society in making efforts to maintain balance between humankind and nature

BY | Wednesday, 4 October, 2023

At a stimulating assembly of academics, environmentalists, and scholars, the “International Conference on Environmental Humanities in the Anthropocene Era: Ecojustice and Sustainability” commenced at Fazl Ali College in Mokokchung. The conference, organized by the Department of English and the Department of Geography in collaboration with ASLE India and Lemsachenlok Longleng, sponsored by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Fazl Ali College, is set to span from 4th to 5th October 2023.

Distinguished figures including Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, Lumami, and Prof. Murali Sivaramakrishnan, Founder and President of ASLE India, shared their insights on the pressing issues surrounding environmental sustainability and ecojustice.

Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, Lumami

Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, the Chief Patron of the conference, emphasized the need for a profound connection to the theme. He expressed concern about the changing climate, global warming, and the consequences of humanity’s attempts to control nature. He urged attendees to unravel hazardous situations rather than contribute to destruction. He also emphasized the importance of preserving cultural and ethical ties with nature.

“Your existence is to unravel hazardous situations,” said Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik. “We are made to forget our own ethos, our own culture which is very much attached to everyone. We are facing tough environmental challenges.”

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Prof. Murali Sivaramakrishnan, the Keynote Speaker, brought attention to the Anthropocene Era, marked by significant human-induced environmental impacts. He discussed the need for a non-violent alternative to the dominant paradigm of contemporary scientific and development thought.

He asserted, “Nature lacks a voice, whereas human beings have the ability to advocate for their own human rights.”

“Human existence is never independent of nature,” stated Prof. Sivaramakrishnan. “Nature is not there to swallow human beings. We have the power to destroy the world, and we should not take pride in it.”

Prof. Murali Sivaramakrishnan, Founder and President of ASLE India

He also highlighted the interdependence of ecology, economics, and ethics in addressing environmental issues and fostering a balanced relationship with the natural world.

Prof. Sivaramakrishnan commended Fazl Ali College for becoming the first institution in the Nagaland to initiate discussions on every aspect of environmental humanities and congratulated the departments for organizing such an intellectually enriching conference.

He emphasized that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and institutions have the responsibility to lead society in making efforts to maintain the balance and bridge the gap between humankind and nature.”

Lastly, he concluded by saying, “We cut down trees mindlessly for the sake of our meager needs, destroying the natural habitat and cycle. Only if we live in harmony with nature can we hope to survive.”

In the words of Prof. Murali Sivaramakrishnan, “Ecojustice and sustainability are intricately connected. Our every action should be about ‘Not seclusion but inclusion’.”

The conference features an array of esteemed speakers, including Rev Dr Nuklu Phom, Team Leader, Lemsachenlok Longleng, Winner of Green Oscar by Whitley Fund for Nature (UK) 2021, Dr Pankaj Thapa, Freelance Researcher Former Faculty Member in the Department of Geography & Planning, Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan, Dr Abdul Hannan, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Sikkim University, Mihai A. Stroe, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, English Department, The University of Bucharest, Romania, Scott Slovic, University Distinguished Professor of Environmental Humanities University of Idaho, Prof. Ashalata Devi, Department of Environmental Science Tezpur University, and Dr Tiasunep Amri, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Nagaland University.

The speakers will contribute their perspectives on various sub-themes, such as Anthropogenic Climate Change, Sustainable Livelihood, Indigenous Practices and Stability, Politics of Gender and Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation in the Anthropocene, Ecojustice in Popular Narratives/Folklores, Consumerism and Anthropogenic Interferences, Ecopolitics, Multispecies Ethnography, Teaching and Environment Pedagogy, Environmental Hazards in the Anthropocene, Ecoethics, Environmental Impacts of War & Conflict, Sustainable Waste Management

The Plenary Sessions featured discussions on “Sustainable Living and Community Engagement” and “Biodiversity Conservation a Challenge in Anthropocene” by L.H. Thangi Mannen and Prof. Ashalata Devi, respectively.

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