Zo Indigenous Forum

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2025 emphasizing Non-Negotiable Rights and Indigenous Leadership

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 May 2025 18:49:00 +0000

New York, May 8, 2025: The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) commenced its twenty-fourth annual session today at UN Headquarters, uniting Indigenous leaders, government representatives, UN agencies, and civil society to advocate for the rights and leadership of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. Running through May 2 under the theme “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges,” the session opened with a powerful call to action from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Indigenous Rights Are Non-Negotiable

In his opening remarks, Guterres declared, “The individual and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples are non-negotiable.” He described Indigenous Peoples as “the preeminent stewards of the world’s biodiversity and the environment,” while highlighting the severe challenges they face, including marginalization, discrimination, unemployment, economic disadvantage, violence, climate change impacts, and illegal mining on their lands. Guterres emphasized that the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides a blueprint for securing their survival, dignity, and well-being, noting its use by courts, parliaments, and communities to advance rights and spur political action.

The Secretary-General urged governments and institutions to prioritize Indigenous leadership and needs, calling on international finance providers to direct resources toward Indigenous-led priorities. He also highlighted the importance of Indigenous input in the global energy transition, particularly regarding critical minerals like lithium and cobalt, often extracted from Indigenous lands. “The clean energy era must power progress on Indigenous Peoples’ rights,” Guterres stated, announcing the upcoming launch of a High-Level Expert Advisory Group to accelerate action on benefit-sharing, value addition, and fair trade.

Forum Chair Reflects on Indigenous Struggles and Resilience
Aluki Kotierk of Canada, the Forum Chair, reminded delegates that the PFII was hard-won through decades of Indigenous advocacy. “This body wasn’t simply given,” she said, urging Member States to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples as rights-holders and co-creators of solutions. Kotierk, who grew up on a small island in the Canadian Arctic, shared the personal significance of her work, stating, “Inuit want to continue speaking Inuktitut… We want to thrive as Inuit.” She warned of ongoing challenges, including the criminalization of Indigenous leaders, the desecration of sacred sites, and disproportionate violence against Indigenous women and girls. Kotierk also criticized extractive industries, noting that mining for green transition minerals often disregards Indigenous self-determination, amounting to “another form of colonization.”

Global Commitments and Indigenous Leadership
Speakers highlighted recent global commitments to Indigenous rights. Guterres noted the adoption of the Global Digital Compact, which aims to build digital skills among Indigenous Peoples, and the Pact for the Future, which calls for protecting Indigenous lands, ecosystems, and knowledge. At the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), countries established a permanent subsidiary body to ensure Indigenous participation in biodiversity decision-making.

Robert Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council, emphasized the need for humility and political will to fully implement the Declaration, drawing on Canada’s experience of learning from Indigenous leadership. Viliami Va’inga Tone, Vice-President of the General Assembly, speaking on behalf of its President, underscored the Forum’s role in amplifying Indigenous voices and advancing the Declaration’s universal framework. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, encouraged Indigenous participation in upcoming global summits, including the 2025 World Summit for Social Development and the 2026 UN Water Conference, to advance the 2030 Agenda’s goal of leaving no one behind.

Focus on Indigenous Women’s Rights
A key session highlight was an interactive dialogue on the rights of Indigenous women, featuring Colombia’s Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Lena Estrada Anokazi, the first Indigenous woman to hold the post. Estrada called for recognizing Indigenous Peoples as rights-holders, not mere stakeholders, and proposed a new UN status to ensure their meaningful participation. She advocated for an “Indigenous COP” at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), with mechanisms like debt relief to support Indigenous-led conservation.

Estrada highlighted Colombia’s efforts to integrate Indigenous women’s knowledge into national climate and development plans, emphasizing their role as “owners of our territories” and peace builders. However, she acknowledged persistent challenges, including structural discrimination and gender-based violence, calling for policies to enhance Indigenous women’s decision-making power and access to services.

Autumn Peltier, a 20-year-old water activist from Canada’s Anishinabek Nation, drew attention to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, citing stark statistics: Indigenous women, 4 percent of the U.S. female population, account for 34 percent of female homicides, while in Canada, they are five times more likely to die violently. “These figures are a stark reminder of systemic violence and neglect,” she said.

Tarcila Rivera Zea of the Centre for Indigenous Cultures of Peru reflected on Indigenous women’s journey to global advocacy, from their underrepresentation at early women’s conferences to their impactful proposals at the 1995 Beijing Conference. She called for national education systems to embrace Indigenous cultural diversity to combat racism.

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN-Women, described Indigenous women as living “at the sharpest edge of inequality,” facing disproportionate climate impacts, hunger, water scarcity, and sexual violence. She praised their resilience as “defenders of land and life” and highlighted UN-Women’s support for CEDAW’s 2022 recommendation on Indigenous women’s and girls’ rights, a landmark in international law.

Intersecting Challenges and Member State Support

The dialogue revealed intersecting forms of discrimination faced by Indigenous women. The International Labour Organization noted their low employment rates and lack of labor protections in the informal economy. A representative of 41 Indigenous associations from the Russian Federation stressed the need to value nomadic Indigenous women’s roles to preserve traditions like reindeer herding. An activist from Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture highlighted the environmental and interpersonal violence faced by Ryūkyūan women, often linked to U.S. military presence.

Member States, including Bolivia, Guatemala, Denmark (speaking for Nordic countries), and Chile, reaffirmed their commitment to Indigenous women’s leadership. Chile highlighted policies to protect Indigenous languages and women’s cultural roles, while Guyana’s Minister for Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, noted that Indigenous women now comprise 39 percent of parliamentarians, supported by tuition-free education programs.

Ceremonial Opening and Tributes
The session began with a violin performance by two Kichwa Indigenous youth, honoring their ancestors, followed by a ceremonial welcome from Tadodaho Sid Hill, Chief of the Onondaga Nation. The Forum elected its bureau, including Vice-Chairs Hannah McGlade, Naw Ei Ei Min, Rodrigo Eduardo Paillalef Monnard, Geoffrey Roth, and Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, and Rapporteur Suleiman Mamutov. Participants observed a minute of silence for Pope Francis, who passed away earlier that day.

A Call for Action
The 2025 PFII session underscores the urgency of implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples amid ongoing challenges like climate change, extractivism, and systemic violence. With Indigenous voices at the forefront, the Forum aims to drive actionable commitments to ensure their rights, leadership, and knowledge shape a sustainable and equitable future.

Mizoram launches SDG and Project Monitoring Dashboards for Transparency

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:45:00 +0000

Aizawl, 28 Oct (Zoram News): Mizoram’s Chief Minister, Pu Lalduhoma today, inaugurated two innovative digital platforms: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Dashboard and the Mizoram State Project Monitoring Dashboard (MPLAN). The event, held at the Planning & Programme Implementation Department’s Conference Hall, marked a significant step towards improving transparency and accountability in Mizoram’s development projects.

In his speech, the Chief Minister highlighted the vital role of sustainable development in Mizoram’s progress. He explained that these new dashboards will help set priorities for the state’s initiatives, streamline project tracking, and support real-time monitoring. “Our goal is to build a transparent governance model that promotes accountability,” said Pu Lalduhoma. To enhance oversight, a Mizoram State Project Monitoring Committee, including representatives from political parties and NGOs, will oversee project progress.

Key Features of the SDG Dashboard

The SDG Dashboard, created in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Ministry of Personnel, captures data on local-level development indicators. It supports monitoring at village, district, and urban levels, aligning with Mizoram’s Local Indicator Framework (LIF). This tool allows the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and other officials to access comprehensive development data, while citizens have limited access to reports.

Objectives of the SDG Dashboard

Track Mizoram’s SDG progress at local levels
Provide data by theme, indicator, and goal
Support rankings to encourage positive competition among districts and villages for achieving targets
Enable quality data collection and tracking across the state

About MPLAN: Centralizing Project Monitoring

The MPLAN Dashboard, funded by NITI Aayog and developed by Integrity Tech Solution, centralizes project data to enhance resource allocation and streamline project submissions. By providing an “Eagle’s Eye View” of all active projects, it supports real-time project monitoring, simplifies the submission of project proposals, and aligns state projects with funding requirements.

Key Functions of MPLAN

Centralize project information for easy access
Standardize submission processes for better compliance
Enable data-driven insights for effective decision-making
Foster transparency and accountability across sectors

With the new dashboards, Mizoram will be able to monitor ongoing projects, set benchmarks for success, and ensure that development goals are achieved efficiently. The MPLAN dashboard, in particular, offers visibility into current initiatives, allowing the government to evaluate progress and guide future planning with reliable data.

Keywords

Mizoram SDG Dashboard, MPLAN project monitoring, sustainable development Mizoram, Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Mizoram government transparency, real-time project tracking, NITI Aayog MPLAN

Mizoram experienced substantial forest loss and environmental degradation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:50:00 +0000

Aizawl, 23 Oct (Zoram News): According to recent data from Global Forest Watch, Mizoram has experienced substantial forest loss and environmental degradation. From 2001 to 2023, the state lost 312,000 hectares (kha) of tree cover, equivalent to a 16% decrease since 2000. This deforestation resulted in the emission of 165 million metric tons of CO₂ (MtCO₂e), contributing significantly to climate change.

Deforestation Overview

The most alarming aspect is the loss of humid primary forests, which are critical for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. From 2002 to 2023, Mizoram lost 17.5 khaof this vital forest type, representing 5.7% of its total tree cover loss in that period. The area of humid primary forests decreased by 5.9%, further endangering the state's rich biodiversity.

Mizoram’s total tree cover loss from 2001 to 2023 reached 312 kha, causing massive carbon emissions, with an overall reduction of 16% in forest cover over the 22-year span. The state saw emissions of 165 MtCO₂e, a worrying trend given India’s broader climate commitments.

Regional Disparities

Tree cover loss was not uniform across Mizoram, with the top three regions accounting for 62% of total forest loss:

Champhai: 78.6 kha lost
Lunglei: 62.2 kha lost
Aizawl: 52.2 kha lost

These regions represent the hardest-hit areas in Mizoram, with Champhai alone losing almost 79 kha, significantly higher than the state's average of 39 kha.

Forest Gains and Stable Areas

Despite the troubling data, there were areas where tree cover gains were recorded. Between 2000 and 2020, Mizoram gained 16.6 kha of forest cover, equal to 0.88% of all tree cover gains in India. However, this positive development was overshadowed by the state's overall net tree cover change, with a loss of 40.6 kha during the same period.

The state still retains large stable forest areas, with 1.14 million hectares (Mha) classified as stable forests, but the pace of deforestation is cause for concern.

Fires: Another Threat to Forests

Mizoram also faces significant threats from forest fires. The data indicates a seasonal peak in fires, with a 12-week fire season beginning in late January each year. Between October 2023 and October 2024, there were 856 VIIRS fire alerts, significantly lower than previous years. The most fires recorded occurred in 2015, with 1,818 alerts. However, fires remain a significant driver of forest loss. From 2001 to 2023, 1.19 kha of tree cover was lost to fires, with the most substantial loss in 2005 when 142 hectares burned.

Carbon Stock and Emissions

Mizoram’s forests are vital carbon sinks, storing an estimated 389 Mt of carbon, with most of it in biomass. This breaks down into:

214 Mt of above-ground carbon
54.8 Mt of below-ground carbon
120 Mt of soil carbon

Despite these carbon stores, deforestation is leading to massive carbon emissions. Between 2001 and 2023, forests in Mizoram emitted an average of 7.18 MtCO₂e per year, with deforestation accounting for 1.20 MtCO₂e annually.

Impact of Deforestation

The rapid deforestation in Mizoram has far-reaching consequences for both the environment and local communities:

Biodiversity Loss: Mizoram is home to numerous endemic species, and the destruction of primary forests puts these species at risk. The loss of habitats affects flora and fauna, pushing some species towards extinction.
Climate Change: The loss of forests reduces Mizoram’s ability to act as a carbon sink, thus contributing to global climate change. With the state emitting 165 MtCO₂e from deforestation, it’s becoming a critical issue for India’s overall emissions reduction targets.
Soil Degradation and Water Cycle Disruption: Tree cover loss accelerates soil erosion, which impacts water quality and the hydrological cycle in the region. As forest areas shrink, the ability of ecosystems to regulate water and prevent floods diminishes.
Impact on Indigenous Communities: Many indigenous communities in Mizoram rely on forests for their livelihoods. The loss of tree cover affects their access to natural resources, making it harder to sustain traditional ways of life.

Steps Forward

In response to the deforestation crisis, both the state and central governments have introduced various measures aimed at forest conservation:

Reforestation Programs: Efforts to plant trees and restore degraded lands are ongoing, though the results are yet to make a significant impact compared to the scale of loss.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices: The promotion of agroforestry and other sustainable land-use practices aims to balance the need for agricultural land with forest conservation.
Community-Based Management: Local communities are being empowered to manage forests sustainably and develop alternative income sources, such as eco-tourism, to reduce the reliance on deforestation-driven activities.
Stronger Enforcement: Strengthening forest protection laws and enforcing them more rigorously is seen as crucial to stopping illegal logging and land clearing.

Conclusion

Mizoram’s forests are under significant threat, with data showing an alarming rate of deforestation and associated carbon emissions. The loss of 312 kha of tree cover between 2001 and 2023 is a concerning trend, particularly given the state’s role in sequestering carbon and preserving biodiversity. While there are efforts to reverse the damage, such as reforestation and sustainable land use practices, the scale of the problem requires more urgent and coordinated action.

Addressing deforestation in Mizoram is not just about protecting the environment; it is about safeguarding the livelihoods of local communities, preserving biodiversity, and contributing to the global fight against climate change. With stronger governance, better resource management, and public awareness, there is hope for the recovery of Mizoram’s forests. However, the clock is ticking, and immediate action is necessary to prevent further degradation.

Keywords:

Mizoram deforestation, tree cover loss in Mizoram, forest degradation, CO2 emissions Mizoram, carbon sink Mizoram, environmental impact in Mizoram, Mizoram forest fires, primary forest loss in India, tree cover change Mizoram, climate change in Mizoram

Empowering Indigenous Women Leaders: Advocating for Rights and Climate Action

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:37:00 +0000

Zo Indigenous Forum, in collaboration with the Fill Life Access Trust and supported by the Global Greengrants Fund, successfully organized a capacity-building event aimed at empowering Indigenous women leaders. The forum brought together over 20 participants from various Indigenous communities.

During the event, the women leaders engaged in sessions focused on the recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples' rights, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to address pressing issues affecting their communities. Key discussions centered around the impacts of climate change and strategies for advocating for sustainable environmental practices.

By the conclusion of the forum, participants had enhanced their skills in conducting effective advocacy campaigns, enabling them to lead initiatives in their regions and promote the protection of Indigenous rights in the face of global challenges.

Zo Indigenous Forum is an organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous communities, particularly the Zo people. It focuses on raising awareness about Indigenous issues, advocating for the recognition of their rights, and addressing challenges such as climate change, land protection, and cultural preservation. The forum often collaborates with other organizations and stakeholders to empower Indigenous leaders, particularly women, to take active roles in advocacy and community leadership. Through training programs, capacity building, and partnerships, the Zo Indigenous Forum strives to strengthen Indigenous voices on both local and global platforms.

Mizoram Assembly Adopts Resolution Opposing Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:16:00 +0000

In a significant move, the Mizoram Assembly has officially adopted a resolution denouncing the recently enacted Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 by the Indian Parliament.

The resolution, presented by Mizoram's Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, TJ Lalnuntluanga, underscores the paramount importance of safeguarding the rights and interests of the people of Mizoram.

Minister Lalnuntluanga reiterated that the state government had been steadfast in its opposition to the amendment Bill from its inception. Mizoram had diligently conveyed its concerns to the Central government and the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) through multiple letters. Regrettably, despite receiving a substantial 1,309 protest letters and communications, the JPC proceeded with the Bill's approval, ultimately resulting in its passage in both the Lok Sabha on July 26 and the Rajya Sabha on August 2.

Lalnuntluanga expressed the government's tireless efforts to protect Mizoram's forests from potential destruction and to uphold the rights of the state's people. Frustrated by the lack of response to these efforts, the minister presented the resolution in the Assembly as a final recourse.

The minister emphasized the grave threat posed to Mizoram's forest cover, particularly under Section 2, sub-section (i) of the amended Act. Following extensive deliberations involving members from both the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the opposition, the resolution garnered widespread support. Notably, all members, with the exception of BJP lawmaker B D Chakma, voted in favor of the resolution, highlighting the Assembly's resolute and unified stand against the Act.

International Workshop on Refugee Issues in Mizoram: Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Legal Protection for Refugees

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 09:28:00 +0000

To commemorate the International Day of Refugees, Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF) and the Student Bar Council (SBC) organized an International Workshop on Refugee Issues in Mizoram on June 20, 2023, at the Legal Chamber of the Government Mizoram Law College.

The event was attended by notable figures from Chin State, like MPs and MLAs, representatives from the Bangladesh Refugee Committee, Mizoram University Research Scholars and law students.

Ms. Esther L. Chhangte, Principal of Government Mizoram Law College in her welcome speech, addressed the challenges faced by refugees and assured them of their protection under constitutional law, despite the absence of specific refugee legislation in India. She encouraged participants to register with the UNHCR for additional protection and emphasized that individuals seeking refuge in India are recognized as refugees regardless of the terminology used. Ms. Chhangte expressed her support for comprehensive refugee laws and conveyed her hopes for the success of the program in addressing refugee challenges in India.

Salai Isaac Khen, expressed gratitude to the organizers and acknowledged the support provided by Mizoram Law College and various organizations working with Myanmar refugees in Mizoram. He highlighted the ongoing crisis in Myanmar following the coup in February 2021, emphasizing the arrests, killings, and displacement carried out by the military junta. He provided statistics on the number of Myanmar citizens seeking refuge in India, particularly in Mizoram, and emphasized the need for humanitarian aid and support. He assured attendees that the NUG is monitoring the situation and requested compliance with guidelines for refugees living in India. He concluded by expressing hope for the eventual return of refugees to Myanmar once the situation improves.

In her presentation on "Refugee and the Law in India" Ms. Zoparliani, Assistant Professor at Government Mizoram Law College, highlighted India's history of hosting refugees, both under the mandate of the UNHCR and in non-mandate cases. She mentioned various groups of refugees, including those from Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Myanmar, as well as refugees from the Partition of India, Tibet, Bangladesh, and other regions. While India has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has signed numerous human rights instruments, emphasizing respect for international law and human rights. She emphasized the principle of non-refoulement, which ensures that refugees are not forced to return to dangerous situations, as a core aspect of refugee protection.

Ms. Zoparliani stressed the importance of raising awareness about refugee status and rights while adhering to international humanitarian laws. She also mentioned legal precedents set by the Supreme Court of India and highlighted strategies for integrating refugees into the community, such as language exchange, social media awareness, advocating for refugee rights, supporting refugee-owned businesses, promoting education, and fostering friendship and family reunification.

In his presentation on "People-to-People Relations in Indo-Myanmar Relations" Mr. Emmanuel Lalthazuala emphasized the importance of interactions between ordinary citizens of India and Myanmar without official interference. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the influx of refugees from Myanmar in Mizoram and the need for understanding and empathy to achieve peaceful coexistence.

Mr. Lalthazuala highlighted the significance of integration, mutual understanding, language and cultural exchange, economic empowerment, peaceful coexistence, and grassroots support in fostering positive relationships between Burmese refugees and the Mizo community. He called for personal contacts, dialogue, and collaboration to address challenges, promote accountability, and ensure the well-being and rights of both the host community and refugees.

NGT reprimands NHIDCL for illegal road widening work in Mizoram causing environmental damage

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 08:17:00 +0000

Aizawl, 24 April (Zoram News): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticized the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for not following the order of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

The NHIDCL has been reprimanded for carrying out the road widening work of National Highway 54 in Mizoram without obtaining the necessary approval from the ministry.

The NGT's eastern bench, led by Justice Amit Sthalekar and expert member Dr. Afroz Ahmed, slammed NHIDCL for its indiscriminate disposal of construction waste, which has caused extensive damage to the environment and biodiversity, posing a threat to the rivers and streams. The bench heard a petition filed by social and environmental activist who accused the NHIDCL of violating several stay orders issued by the state environment, forests, and climate change department.

The NGT bench has ordered NHIDCL to comply with the stay orders and take note of the fact that illegal muck disposal can harm the ecology and biodiversity of the state. The bench has directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, the state forest department, and NHIDCL to provide their responses within four weeks. This case is considered serious, and NHIDCL is expected to take appropriate action to address the NGT's concerns.

Researchers identify malaria hotspots in Mizoram

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 14:38:00 +0000

Aizawl, 21 March (Zoram News): A research study published in Nature Portfolio highlights the critical need for malaria control in Mizoram, a region that shares international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. The study titled "Malaria hotspots and climate change trends in the hyper-endemic malaria settings of Mizoram along the India–Bangladesh borders" reveals that between 2015-21, the districts of Lawngtlai, Mamit, and Lunglei reported the highest number of malaria cases in Mizoram, with these districts sharing borders with Bangladesh.

A study published in Nature Portfolio emphasizes the urgency of malaria control in Mizoram, which shares borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar, revealing that the highest number of cases were reported between 2015-21 in Lawngtlai, Mamit, and Lunglei districts.

The research analyzed malaria data from 385 public health sub-centers across Mizoram and identified hotspots for targeted intervention. The study shows that almost all sub-centers reporting high Annual Parasite Index (> 10) are located in the districts that border Bangladesh.

Mizoram, located in North Eastern India, shares its western borders with the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and its eastern and southern borders with the Chin Hills of Myanmar. The research notes that the monsoon season in Mizoram, from June to September, is when cases of malaria peak. Mizoram is also considered a major route for the entry of drug-resistant parasites from Southeast Asia to Northeast India.

India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar have committed to eliminating malaria by 2030. However, the porous borders shared by Mizoram with these two countries could allow the movement of parasites and vectors, thereby jeopardizing the malaria elimination efforts of all three countries.

Kaladan project getting delayed due to political situation in Myanmar: Union minister

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 19:39:00 +0000

Aizawl, Mar 2 (PTI): Union Minister R K Ranjan Singh on Thursday said the ambitious Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project got delayed due to the political situation in Myanmar.

The Centre gives a priority to the bilateral cross-border project and also the waterway projects with Bangladesh under the Act East Policy, he said.

“Because of the unpredictable atmosphere occurring in Myanmar, our progress in view of the Kaladan project is derailing a bit,” Singh, the minister of state for external affairs, told reporters here.

Notably, thousands of people from Myanmar have crossed the international border and taken refuge in Mizoram after the neighbouring country’s military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi there in February 2021.

The Kaladan project was strategically planned by the Centre to connect the northeastern part of the country with Indo-Pacific nations, the minister said.

The project, which will connect Sittwe Port in Myanmar, is expected to contribute to the economic development of the northeastern states of India by opening up the sea route for various products. It also provides a strategic link to the northeast region, thereby reducing pressure on the Siliguri corridor.

“The Kaladan project is strategically planned by the Centre with the full cooperation of the Mizoram government. The project, if it is through, will link us with all Indo-pacific countries,” Singh, who hails from the northeast region, said. The Centre is also looking for waterways to connect with Bangladesh, the minister said.

During the day, Singh also attended the G20 business meeting held in Aizawl. ddressing the meeting at Mizoram University (MZU), he said the northeastern region has a significant youth population, who are “agile in skilling and have good experience in communicating in English fluently with clients”.

“This must be leveraged by our business community in employing skilled individuals across sectors. The NE region has the diverse potential to propel ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’,” he added.

Mizoram to host G20's Business 20 conference with focus on multilateral partnerships and investment opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 16:10:00 +0000

Aizawl, 28 Feb (Zoram News): Preparations are completed to host G20's Business 20 (B20) in Mizoram from 1st March to 3rd March 2023.

The B20 main conference, scheduled on 2nd March 2, 2023, will focus on opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Urban planning, Infrastructure, Bamboo, Startups, Skill Development, Handloom & Handicraft, Nursing and Paramedics. It will be held in Mizoram Univeristy Premises.

Speaking at the press conference held at the CM conference Hall, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said that the B20 meeting in Mizoram will help commence discussions on the identified priorities and will begin work towards formulating policy recommendations.

He also said that It would help the State to project it as an important investment destination by showcasing its strength besides giving the delegates a sneak peek into our culture, heritage, festivals and tourism potential.

According to CM Zoramthanga, Aizawl will witness the convergence of a host of overseas delegates from 17 nations representing Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote D'lvoire (lvory Coast), China, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Nepa, Russia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, United States and Zimbabwe in addition to the Indian and local business participants. And the visiting dignitaries will includes 48 overseas business delegates and 17 diplomats, Trade and Business delegations and representatives from Bhutan, Bangladesh and Japan.

The Chief Minister also said that his government is making elaborate arrangements not only to showcase Investment and parthership opportunities in the State but also provide a unique experience for visiting delegates with an exposure to the State's culture, cuisine, art, festivities, and scenic beauty.

He also said that the delegation will participate in Chapchar Kut, the main festival of Mizoram at the Assam Rifles Ground on the 3rd March, 2023. Elaborate preparations have been made in Mizoram for their participation, stay and hospitality showcasing the potential of the State for inviting investments during the B20 Meeting.

The B20 conference in Mizoram will be graced by Som Parkash, Minister of State for Commerce & Industries, Government of India, and Dr RK Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, External Affairs, Government of India in the presence of Senior Government Officials from the State and Centre.

Also, as part of the programme, Cll is facilitating Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) meetings. Visiting Overse as Business Delegates will get the opportunity to interact with the local industry during the B2B and with the Government in the B2G session for potential investment, collaboration and tie-ups. Over 100 B2B and B2G requests have been generated including request for interaction with Government Departments viz-a-viz Health, Urban Development, Commerce and Industries, Tourism, Sports and Labour employment, Skill development, and Entrepreneurship. CII is inviting speakers from all over India to deliberate on the focus sectors at the conference.

Mizo Bird’s Eye Chili to export in US

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 15:56:00 +0000

Aizawl, 28 Feb (Zoram News): Agriculture Minister Pu C. Lalrinsanga on Monday informed that Mizoram would soon export ‘Bird's eye Chili’, a typical Mizo organic chili, to the United State (US) for the first time.

Replying to a supplementary question from opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma, the agriculture minister said that 7.5 metric ton of organic bird's eye chili would be flagged off to the US. He said that the consignment would be sent to the US soon after the ongoing budget session, which will conclude on Tuesday.

Lalrinsanga said that the government has obtained geographical identification (GI) for the bird's eye chili or Mizo chili. The chili has successfully passed an organic confirmation test at Bangalore last week, he said. In another reply, the agriculture minister also said the state government is making efforts to improve jhum cultivation.

Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming System in the Northeast (FOCUS) is being implemented in six districts under Externally Aided Project (EAP) for improvement of jhum cultivation, he said. The minister also said that a three-tier Integrated Farming System (IFS) would be implemented in 20 villages within the six districts covered by FOCUS to improve jhum or slash and burn cultivation. Mizoram is largely an agrarian state as the majority population is dependent on agriculture. The traditional jhum or shifting cultivation is widely practiced in the state.

The bird's eye chili plant is a perennial with small, tapering fruits, often two or three, at a node. The fruits are very pungent.

The bird's eye chili is small, but is quite hot. It measures around 100,000 - 225,000 Scoville units, which is at the lower half of the range for the habanero, but many times hotter than the spiciest jalapeños

Interministerial panel to prepare framework on human rights issues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 15:48:00 +0000

New Delhi, 5 Feb 2023: The government has constituted a committee under the joint supervision of the home and foreign ministries to create a structured mechanism to oversee issues related to human rights reporting obligations to treaty bodies and the universal periodic review (UPR) done by the UN Human Rights Council.

The “inter-ministerial committee on human rights” will also deliberate on and oversee the implementation of recommendations made during the UPR and engage with local stakeholders.

The latest UPR of India’s human rights record was done on November 10 last year and India received close to 340 recommendations, though authorities in New Delhi are yet to decide how many of these will be implemented, people familiar with the matter said.

The panel, according to a gazette notification issued by the external affairs ministry on Friday, will function as the “national mechanism” on human rights-related issues and meet twice a year.

“The Committee shall function as the national mechanism for implementation, reporting and follow-up with the mandate to deliberate upon and oversee...all human rights reporting obligations to the treaty bodies, the universal periodic review and the special procedures; implementation of their recommendations; and modalities for engagement with national stakeholders,” it said.

The secretary (West) in the external affairs ministry and special secretary in ministry of home affairs will co-chair the inter-ministerial committee, while joint secretaries in the ministries of women and child development, social justice and empowerment, minority affairs, tribal affairs, rural development, housing and urban affairs, health and family welfare, labour and employment, school education and literacy, legal affairs, corporate affairs and NITI Aayog will be part of it.

The panel can include more members from other ministries and departments to share inputs in the meetings if it desires.

During India’s fourth UPR – a peer-based evaluation mechanism - at the UN Human Rights Council in November 2022, several member countries expressed concerns and made recommendations on several issues related to the human rights situation in India, including tightening restrictions on civil society, cancellation of foreign funding licences of non-government organisations, broad use of anti-terrorism legislation against journalists, stated and religious minorities, and curbs on freedom of expression.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who defended the Indian government, said at the review meeting that India appreciates the role of human rights defenders, civil society groups and journalists, but their activities should be in conformity with the law of the land.

Mehta also said there were enough safeguards in the laws to protect individuals against any potential misuse of laws such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), National Security Act (NSA) and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Reacting to the development, Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said: “It is very welcome that the government has set up a committee to enforce its international treaty obligation. Hope this will include bolstering the independence of institutions like the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission), NCW (National Commission for Women), NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) and other constitutional bodies, as well as robust engagement with civil society including government critics."

The people cited above said the home and foreign ministries had always worked together on human rights-related matters though the new committee will put in place a structured mechanism to handle such issues. The committee will also streamline the process of preparing for the UPR, which is conducted every four years, with the next one scheduled for 2026.

This committee, which is in line with the UN concept of a National Mechanism for Implementation and Follow-up (NMRF) for effective implementation of UPR recommendations, will also play a key role in deciding which of the more than 300 recommendations made at the UPR in November are accepted and implemented. The Indian side has the option of either accepting the recommendations or taking note of them.

The Indian side has to inform the UN Human Rights Council by March which of the recommendations have been accepted or noted, the people said. Once this is done, the implementation of accepted recommendations will begin.

During the UPR in November, Malaysia and Paraguay had recommended that India should establish a NMRF.

~Hindustan Times

Kuki-Chin refugees from Bangladesh continue to pour into Mizoram to flee violence

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:14:00 +0000

Aizawl, November 27, 2022: The number of Kuki-Chin refugees from Bangladesh in Mizoram has risen to over 300, with more refugees continuing to pour into the Northeast state.

The Kuki-Chin refugees that have arrived in Mizoram escaped violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.

According to reports, the Kuki-Chin refugees from Bangladesh are taking shelter at Parva village in Mizoram.

Non-government organisations (NGOs) have been providing food, clothing and other relief materials to the Kuki-Chin refugees from Bangladesh, who are taking shelter in Mizoram.

The refugees have been provided shelter in a school, a community hall, an Anganwadi centre and a sub-center at Parva village in Mizoram.

The first batch of Kuki-Chin refugees from Bangladesh had entered Lawngtlai district of Mizoram on November 20.

Earlier, the central committee of Young Mizo Association (YMA) or Central YMA in Mizoram had stated that it would provide humanitarian assistance to the Kuki-Chin refugees from Bangladesh.

The Mizoram cabinet had also decided to provide temporary shelters, food and other basic amenities to the Bangladeshi nationals.

The Bangladeshi nationals fled their homes and entered Mizoram on November 20 following an armed conflict between the Bangladesh army and ethnic insurgent group Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA).

KNA is the armed wing of Kuki-Chin National Front (MNF), an ethnic body that demands separate state and safeguard for the Mizo communities in Bangladesh.

Mizoram shares a 318-km-long international border with Bangladesh.

The Kuki-Chin communities in Bangladesh share ethnic ties and origin with the Mizos in Mizoram and many of them have relatives in the state.

In Mizoram, all the ethnic Zo people are known under a ‘Mizo’ nomenclature, while in Myanmar they are known as ‘Chin’ or Zomi or Laimi and in Manipur they are sometimes referred as ‘Kuki.

The influx from Bangladesh came at a time when Mizoram is grappling with over 30,000 refugees from Myanmar, with which it shares a 510-km-long border.

Centre committed to uplift minorities of India

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:12:00 +0000

Aizawl, November 27, 2022: Union minister of state for minority affairs – John Barla – on Sunday, said that the central government is committed towards uplifting minority communities in the country, while speaking at Aizawl in Mizoram.

John Barla arrived in Aizawl on Saturday on a three-day visit to Mizoram.

The union minister visited Lawngtlai district in Mizoram and held meetings with officials of state departments and Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) on Sunday.

During the meeting, Barla said that the central government launched various schemes for minority communities, which are being implemented across the country.

He informed that the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully committed to the welfare and development of the minorities.

The union minister also asked Mizoram officials to spread awareness amongst the public about the central schemes and extend helping hands to those in need.

Barla was apprised of the current status and progress of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) projects being implemented in Lawngtlai district of Mizoram.

He also discussed with the officials to solve some existing problems and to facilitate further progress through the schemes.

Barla visited the ongoing construction of Residential Sports School at Lawngtlai College in Mizoram under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) scheme.

He also paid a visit to the ongoing construction of Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP), a bilateral cross-border road project to link Mizoram with Kolkata Sea Port via Myanmar.

Zo community from Bangladesh takes refuge in Mizoram

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 19:49:00 +0000

Aizawl, 22 Nov : At least 274 Chin-Kuki people fled to Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh in the face of an alleged offensive by the Bangladesh Army against an armed group of the community.

The influx comes at a time when the Mizoram government is grappling with over 30,000 refugees from Myanmar. They had fled their hearths and homes in the aftermath of the coup by the military of the country in February last year.

The Chin-Kuki people and the Mizos belong to the Zo community and they share the same culture and ancestry. A senior official in Lawngtlai told this newspaper the refugees had entered the district on Sunday evening.

“Altogether 272 people arrived. The locals are providing them with food and necessary items. The state government is looking into the matter,” the official said requesting not to be named. The Bangladesh Refugee Committee in Mizoram said these Bangladeshi nationals had entered Bonduk-bangsora, a village located near the tri-junction of Bangladesh, Myanmar and Mizoram and moved to a nearby village, Simeinasora, on Monday morning.

Khuma Bawm, a member of the committee, said they wanted to proceed to another village, Parva, but the Border Security Force did not allow them to do so. The refugees are mostly women, children and elderly people.

Bawm said trouble was brewing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for a long time over the Chin-Kuki community’s movement for autonomy, spearheaded by the Bangladesh-based insurgent group Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA), also called Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF). He alleged the Bangladesh Army was taking the help of Myanmar’s largest extremist group Arakan Army in the offensive.

“The minority Kuki-Chin community has a population of around 3.5 lakh in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The KNA is locked in a conflict with the Bangladesh Army. So, the Bangladesh Army secretly aligned with the Arakan Army and launched the offensive. They attacked Kuki-Chin villages, tortured innocent people and raped women and girls,” Bawm alleged.

“The Bangladesh Army took the help of Arakan Army as our hilly brothers are good fighters,” he claimed.

He also said that in the face of the joint offensive, a lot of others also fled the Chittagong Hill Tracts and were on their way to Mizoram. They are in the jungles and will arrive tomorrow or the day after, he said. “We need to support the refugees. They are in need of food, clothing and shelter.

We formed the committee to help the people. Five of us are heading to the village from Aizawl,” he added. The KNF in a statement claimed that a secret meeting was held between senior officers of the Arakan Army and Bangladesh Army, DGFI, BGB at Tamra on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

“They decided that the KNF should be dispersed from the soil of this country (Bangladesh) through the Arakan Army and the Bangladesh government will pay it 10 million taka,” the statement said.

The Chin-Kuki people and the Mizos belong to the Zo community and they share the same culture and ancestry. The Bangladesh Refugee Committee in Mizoram said that these Bangladeshi nationals had entered Bonduk-bangsora, a village located near the tri-junction of Bangladesh, Myanmar and Mizoram and moved to a nearby village, Simeinasora, on Monday morning.

In the meantime The Mizoram cabinet on Tuesday resolved to give shelter and food to all Kuki-Chin-Mizo refugees, who have been forced to flee Bangladesh and the enter the northeastern state in the wake of an armed conflict between that neighbouring country’s army and an ethnic insurgent group.

Home Minister Lalchamliana said the cabinet members, during the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, expressed their sympathy for the refugees.

“The members approved a proposal to provide them temporary shelter, food and other relief as per convenience of the state government,” he added.

~ Agency Inputs

India Universal Periodic Review 2022 ah Zo Indigenous Forum tel

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:05:00 +0000

Geneva, 11 November 2022: UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) hnuaia Working Group on Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Session vawi 41 na Tahrik Ni 7-18 November 2022 chhung hian India ram human rights chungchang ennawn (review) a ni a, Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF) pawh meeting-ah hian an tel ve a ni.

UPR hi kum 4 leh a chanve danah neih thin a ni a, UN hnuai ram zawng zawng te hun bituk siamin an Sorkar, UN hnuaia pawl hrang hrang leh NGO ten an ram human rights hmasawnna chungchang-a an thu thehlu te ennawn/zirchian thin a ni a, India ram hi April 2008, May 2012, May 2017 leh kumin 2022 November hian ennawn an ni. Review-na ah hian ram hrang hrang ten India hmasawnna te sawi langin rawtna (recomendation hrang hrang an siam bawk a, heng rawtna hrang hrang te hi India chuan nakum March thla (March 2023)-a Human Rights Council Session-ah an pawm leh pawmloh te an rawn hriattir dawn a ni.

India team hi an rawn thawkrip hle a, Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India team leader niin Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) MEA, Indra Mani Pandey , Permanent Representative of India to UN, Mr. K.M. Nataraj, Additional Solicitor General of India bakah department hrang hrang heng Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, NITI Aayog, leh Vice Chancellor of the National Law University, Delhi te an rawn tel a.

Issues hrang hrang tam tak zingah freedom of Speech, CAA, FCRA, hate speech, privacy, surveillance and data protection, human rights defenders, human rights of minorities including women, children, LGBTQ and diasabled bakah Raltlan (Refugee and stateless), human traficking, death penalty, corporal punishment te sawi lan uar zual a ni.

Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF) aiawhin Pu C. Lalremruata founder chu he session-ah hian a tel ve a, ram hrang hrang ten ral leilungfa (Indigenous Peoples) chungchang an sawi chhuak tam tawklo chu pawi a tih thu leh tan lak a ngaih zia thu a sawi a, duhthusam nilo mahse Paraguay in ILO Convention 169 (Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989) leh Vanuatu sorkarin draft notification for Environment Impact Assessment 2020 hnawl nghal tura a ngenna, Luxembourg-in project liantham hna thawh dawn reng rengin Human Rights and Enviromental Impact Studies neih ngei ngei ni rawhse tia rawtna te chu India sorkarin pawm ngei se a duh thu a sawi a, hei bakah hian Raltlan te chungchang-ah 1951 Refugee Convention (Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees) pawm rawtna hrang hrang awm te chu India sorkarin pawm ngei se a duh thu a sawi bawk.

President Pi Droupadi Murmu in hmeichhe zirlai leh hnathawkte nen inkawmna hun a nei

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 16:22:00 +0000

Aizawl, 3 November 2022: President Pi Droupadi Murmu chuan vawiin chawhnu khan Mizoram University a Convocation programme a hmanpui hnu in MZU Auditorium-ah hmeichhe zirlai leh zirtirtute bakah self help group member-te nen inkawmna hun a hmang.

He an inkawmnaah hian President Pi Droupadi Murmu chuan Mizoramah hmeichhia ten hma an sawn nasa ni a a hriat thu a sawiin, vawiin convocation neih zawh takah gold medalist zinga hmeichhia thahnem tak an tel chu lawmawm a ti a. Sawrkar hna bakah nitina eizawnna thilah hmeichhia te tan remchanna zau zawk siam sak a ngai a. Startup leh enterpreneurship huangah pawh hmeichhia ten hma an rawn sawn zel nan chhawmdawlna tha zawk pek an ngai a ni a ti.

Self Help Group aiawh hnen atanga SHG huanga hmeichhiate hlawhtlinna te a hria chu lawmawm a tih thu a sawi a. SHG pawh uar zawka kalpui a nih leh hnathawhtur leh eizawnna mitam zawk tan a nih theih nan tanlak zel a ngai tih a sawi.

President Murmu chuan Mizoram chu ram mawi tak, ram hmul leh nungcha chi hrang tam tak awm na lai a ni tih a sawi a. Hei vang hiang Biodiversity huangah Mizoram dinhmun a pawimawh a. Mizoram Biodiversity humhim zel a nih theih nan MZU mithiamte chu a hnahruaitu ni turin a fuih a. Hemi huangah hian hmeichhiate pawhin mawhphurhna pawimawh tak kan nei a ni a ti.

Universal Periodic Review Working Group to commence fourth cycle with holding of its forty-first session from 7 to 18 November 2022

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 16:20:00 +0000

GENEVA (2 November 2022) – The forty-first session of the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group will be held in Geneva from 7 to 18 November, during which 14 States will have their human rights records examined. The holding of this session will mark the commencement of the fourth cycle of the UPR, during which all 193 UN member States will undergo a review of their human rights record through this unique process.

The group of States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during this session are (in order of scheduled review): Bahrain, Ecuador, Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia, Finland, the United Kingdom, India, Algeria, the Philippines, Brazil, Poland, the Netherlands, and South Africa. The meeting will take place in Room 20 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and will be webcast live.

“As we enter the fourth UPR cycle, our challenge is to maintain the excellent track record and ensure this crucial exercise does not become routine, but rather continues to have a meaningful impact for those on the ground”, stated Federico Villegas, President of the Human Rights Council.

During the fourth cycle (Nov. 2022 to Feb. 2027), which is focused on enhanced implementation and follow up, States are expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations received during their previous reviews, in particular those which enjoyed their support, as well as present developments that occurred since the previous review and share challenges in their follow-up action. The reports serving as the basis for these reviews are available online.

High-level delegations representing the 14 countries are scheduled to address the Working Group, which comprises the entire membership of the 47-member Human Rights Council, and other UN member or non-member States wishing to take part. Some 100 States, on average, make recommendations to each State under Review (SuR). SuRs are expected to present efforts made to fulfil their human rights obligations and commitments, particularly since their last UPR review, assessing positive developments and identifying challenges. The timetable of State reviews and adoption and distribution of reports can be found below and online.

During the session, an interactive dialogue between the country under review and the Working Group takes place. Each country review lasts three and one-half hours, and an additional half-hour for each country will be devoted to adopting the report containing the recommendations put forward by their peers. The review for each State is facilitated by groups of three Council members from different regional groups, or troikas, who act as rapporteurs. The troikas for States to be reviewed during the session were selected through a drawing of lots on 12 January 2022 during an organizational meeting of the Council.

The final outcome of the forty-first session will be adopted by the plenary of the Human Rights Council at its fifty-second regular session taking place in March 2023.

Increasing rodent population desrtoys crops and paddies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 10:09:00 +0000

Aizawl, 29 Sept (Zoram News): Several crops and paddy have been destroyed in different parts of Mizoram following an increase in rodent population believed to be a pre-symptom of the ‘Thingtam’ or flowering of Bambusa Tulda due in 2025.

In view of this, farmers in Serchhip district, led by Agriculture department officials, carried out wide-scale poisoning of rodents on Wednesday that started attacking paddy fields in Zawlpui area in the district.

Assistant district agriculture officer Lalrinawma gave practical training on how to use rat poison to the farmers in the paddy fields and distributed rat poison to the farmers.

Agriculture officials said the rodent population explosion has created severe hardships for the farming community in Mizoram as 524.31 hectares of paddy fields have been infested by swarms of rats, which is believed to be the result of the cyclic bamboo flowering.

After ravaging paddies in the jhum or the hill areas in the Serchhip district, rodents have now started attacking wet rice cultivation in low-lying areas in the district.

State agriculture officials said that rodents have ravaged paddy fields belonging to at least 104 families in 8 districts of Mizoram.

Officials added that 255.7 hectares of paddy fields belonging to 19 families in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district have been ravaged, followed by 198 hectares of paddy fields belonging to 28 lands being damaged in Mamit district.

Kaldan Multi Modal work stayed by green tribunal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 10:04:00 +0000

Aizawl, 28 Sept (ZoramNews): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stayed all further construction of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) road till conditions of in-principle approval of Stage I granted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change are complied with.

The court passed the order September 26, 2022 after considering the complaints made by the Government of Mizoram.

The state government in its affidavit to the NGT said the Mizoram Public Works Department (PWD) had not implemented conditions of the in-principle approval.

The Right To Information reply from the Office of Executive Engineer, PWD, Multi Model Project Division, Lawngtlai, Government of Mizoram also mentions that the Mizoram PWD has not yet paid the Compensatory Afforestation and Net Present Value for construction of the KMMTTP road.

The reason cited is that the district collector has admitted several land passes on degraded jhum land portion which overlapped the claim made by landowners. The forest issue has also not been cleared till date.

Riverine Reserved Forest (RRF) a rìn luh duh loin kawng an zawh

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 17:33:00 +0000

Aizawl 18 July 2022: Riverine Reserved Forest (RRF) huam chhunga Tlabung khua rìn luh a nih duh lohna lantir nan leh an chenna hmun huamtir lo tura thuneitute kar nan Tlabung Joint Action Committee chuan July 16, Inrinni khan kawngzawh an huaihawt a, mi ṭhahnem takin kawng an zawh.

Tlabung JAC chairman P Vanlalmawia chuan, RRF huam chhunga Tlabung rìn luh a nihna sûttir tura thuneitute an dàwr tawhnain awmzia a neih thui loh avanga kawngzawh huaihawt ta an nih thu a sawi a; RRF chu thil ṭha a nih avangin an dodal ngawr ngawr loh rualin, kum 1965-a RRF a awm hma daih, kum 1871-ah Tlabung chu din a nihtawh a, mi an chen tawh avangin RRF huam chhunga Tlabung rìn luh chu pawm chi a nih loh thu a sawi bawk.

Tlabung aṭanga thu dawn danin, kawng zawhnaah hian mi 2,000 chuang an tel a, JAC chairman P Vanlalmawia bakah, vice chairman Lalhmingthangi leh Tlabung branch YMA finance secretary C Lalrintluanga te pawhin thu an sawi.

Tlabung chu RRF pian hma daiha awm tawh a nih thu te, thlamuang taka an chenna RRF hmanga hung hnan a ni chu an hriatthiam loh thu te, an dikna leh chanvo humhalh tura a tàwp thlenga kal zel an tum thute hmangin mipui an au rual a ni.

~ Vanglaini

Myanmar aṭanga ráltlânte enkawlnaah Thingsai khuain harsatna an tâwk ṭan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 17:31:00 +0000

Aizawl, 12 July 2022: Myanmar ram buai avanga sahimna zawnga Mizorama rawn lut zinga eng emaw zatin an pan Thingsai khuaah ráltlân chhungkua 57-a mi 356 an awm mek a, ei leh in lamah harsatna an tâwk ṭan.

A refugee camp in Thingsai village

Thingsai khawtlang hruaitute chuan Vanglaini zawhna chhángin, tun dinhmunah khawchhak tlangdunga ráltlân la awm tamna ber khua an nih an rin thu an sawi a, "Ráltlânte enkawl nana páwl, kohhran leh mimal anga ṭanpuina eng emaw zat kan dawn tawhte chu a kangchah ṭan avangin ráltlânte hnena ration sem turah harsatna kan tawk ṭan," an ti.

Ráltlân an tam vanglaiin mi 900 chuang Thingsai khuain an mikhual tih sawiin khawtlang hruaitute chuan, "Hun eng emaw chen kan zinga an awm hnuah a tam zawk chu an khuaa an in leh loah an kîr leh tawh a, chutihrualin, sipaiin an in leh lo an hâl chhiat vek avanga kìr lehna tur nei tawh lote chu tunah hian Thingsai khuain kan la enkawl mek," an ti a; kîr lehna tur nei tawh lote chu chhungkaw 57-a mi 356 an nih thu an sawi.

Thingsai khawtlang hruaitute chuan, ráltlânte ṭanpuina tur an dawn khawm aṭangin kum khat chuang chawlhkar thum danah ration an sem tawh tih an sawi a, "Ṭanpuina kan dawn nasat lai chuan sorkar pùr buai loin hma kan la a, ṭum khatah mi pakhat tan buhfai kg. 7 kan sem ṭhin a, vawi khat kan sem hian buhfai bag 30 vel kan sem ral ṭhin," an ti.

Khawtlang hruaitute chuan, a hranpaa châwm hlâwm tawp a theih loh avangin VC leh mimalin ráltlânte inhlawhna tur an siam fo thu sawiin, "VC anga inhlawhna kan siam pawhin khaw chhung mite chu thîk lo turin kan ngen ṭhin. An inhlawhna tam zawk chu mimal hlo thawlh, thing thiar leh lung lak te a nih bakah, chakai leh rawtuai khawrhtein sum an tuak ve ṭhin," an ti bawk.

Ration an sem hnu hnun ber chu chawlhkar thum liam ta vel kha a nih thu te, tun dinhmunah ration an sem ṭhin chu sem tur an neih tawh loh thu te, ration an sem inkara inhlawhna tur nei lo mangang tak takte tana an dah ṭhin buhfai ip pali leh Hnahthial DC kaltlanga an dawn ip pariat chiah an neih tawh thute an sawi a ni.

Ruihhlo leh dan phal loh thil zawrh leh lakluh chungchangah ráltlân zinga inhnamhnawih an awm leh awm loh zawhna chhangin Thingsai khawtlang hruaitute chuan, "Tun dinhmunah chutiang chu kan la tawng lo. Danin a phal lohte ti lo tura inhrilhfiah nan thla tin kan ko khawm ṭhin a, dan leh hrai hrang hrang zirtirna kan neihpui ṭhin," an ti a; YMA ruihhlo do pawl an in din thu an sawi bawk.

~ Vanglaini

Mizoram - Tripura unity bus service launched

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 May 2022 17:05:00 +0000

Aizawl, May 9 (IANS): To further strengthen people-to-people relationship, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Monday launched an inter-state bus service with Tripura.

Officials in Aizawl said that a passenger bus of Mizoram State Transport Corporation (MSTC) will ply between Aizawl and northern Tripura's Behliangchhip, which falls in the Jampui Hills, predominantly inhabited by various Zo or Mizo kindred tribes.

The transport authorities of Tripura and Mizoram earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding to operate the bus service. The MSTC buses would depart from Aizawl on Monday and Thursday and will return from Behliangchhip on Tuesday and Friday. According to the transport department officials, efforts are on to operate a bus service between Aizawl and southern Manipur's Churachandpur, where a substantial number of Mizo people live.

Mizoram now operates inter-state transport services with Assam's Guwahati and Silchar cities.

After flagging off the bus service in Aizawl, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said that Mizoram, now considered by many as one of the most peaceful states, has also initiated several steps to build a healthy relationship with its neighbouring states as well as the adjoining countries. He hoped that a bus service like this would promote national integration and also a friendly environment across the neighbouring states while providing much needed convenience for passengers on either side. He added that more efforts would be made to improve the connecting roads that Mizoram shares with its neighbouring states and thanked the Tripura government for its cooperation.

Rich bio-diversity in Mizoram offers huge scope for research - President Ram Nath Kovind

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 May 2022 17:02:00 +0000

Aizawl, May 6, 2022 (PTI): Noting that Mizoram is abundantly blessed with natural resources and a wide variety of flora and fauna, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said that the rich bio-diversity in the state offers vast opportunities for research and development.

Delivering his address at the convocation ceremony of Mizoram University (MZU) near here, Kovind, who arrived in Aizawl in the morning, also said the northeastern region of the country has immense potential for development of trade due to its strategic location.

“Although land-locked, with no access to sea, Mizoram has huge potential for development of trade as it shares international border with Bangladesh in the west and Myanmar in the east, besides interstate boundaries with three Indian states — Assam, Manipur and Tripura.

“The agreement that was recently signed by India and Bangladesh for development of international trade ‘haats’ along the international border will lead to better trade and connectivity,” he stated.

He pointed out that the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP), work for which is underway, will contribute to the economic development of the northeastern states.

“I hope more such projects are identified and encouraged for holistic development of the northeastern states and our neighbouring countries,” the President said at the convocation.

The KMMTTP, an India-Myanmar bilateral project, aims to connect West Bengal’s Kolkata with the northeast via Sittwe seaport in the neighbouring country’s Rakhine state.

Kovind also urged the state government to accord priority to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help enable the country meet its global commitment. He lauded Mizoram for scoring 60 on NITI Aayog’s SDG index against the national average of 57.

The President laid emphasis on skill development, research and innovation-based activities. “Mizoram has rich bio-diversity, offering vast opportunities for research and development.

“I see great opportunities for youth in the areas of floriculture and bamboo-based enterprises. The eco-system for start-ups was never as inspiring as it is today….. I can see this trend of becoming job creators gaining ground among the young population,” he said.

Koving lauded the faculty members of MZU for the efforts they put in to educate students. He also congratulated students on their academic achievement.

A total of 7,830 students, more than 50 per cent of them being females, have been awarded degrees during the ceremony.

NITI Aayog officials brief Chief Minister on SDG India Index 2020 and progress of Mizoram in the SDG Index

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 11:32:00 +0000

Aizawl, 20 Jan : Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga was briefed at his office today by officials of NITI Aayog on the latest SDG Index 2020-21 and Mizoram’s position in the Index; the status of the Districts of Mizoram in the NER District SDG Index, which has been done for the first time and the NITI Aayog enunciated poverty index of the country – National Multidimensional Poverty Index and Mizoram’s position vis-a-vis the country.

After the presentation given by Smt. Sanyukta Samaddar, Adviser (SDGs) NITI Aayog, the Chief Minister remarked progress of Mizoram from the 21st position in 2019-20 Index to the 12th position in 2020-21 Index was a huge jump but challenges in some sectors remain he acknowledged. Commenting that economic progress of the state and its people is vital to advancement in Sustainable Development Goals and is dependent on it, he said that for the economic growth of the state, its assets whether they are – agro-forestry based resources, particularly the bamboo rich resources of the state, the river resources, the congenial weather must be harnessed in all possible ways and fronts.

The NITI Aayog team headed by Adviser (SDGs) highlighted the progress of Mizoram in various SDGs that comprise the SDG Index, the progress so far and the challenges that remain we also addressed in the brief presentation. The status of the Districts of Mizoram in the NER District SDG Index was also presented. Serchhip and Lunglei Districts are among the Top 10 Districts in the performance of SDGs.