July 2024, Guwahati, Assam: The North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), North-East Water Talks, Place Making Foundation, the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research, and ActionAid Association organized a two-day conclave on climate change and urbanization in the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India in Guwahati on July 5-6, 2024.

The conclave brought together a diverse range of eminent speakers, discussants, and participants from across the northeastern states and other parts of India. Attendees included representatives from government departments, town planners, architects, environmentalists, social activists, academicians, researchers, authors, media persons, civil society organizations, and community members such as street vendors, fisherfolk, and construction workers who are directly impacted by the climate crisis.

Dr. (Prof.) Abhijit Sharma from the Indian Institute of Bank Management (IIBM), Guwahati, highlighted the historical context of urbanization in Assam, stating, “Guwahati – the gateway of the northeast, was structurally an administrative urban cluster, driven by the expansion of administrative functions with minimal people’s participation.” He pointed out that land development and management being in the hands of private market operators has exacerbated inequities, particularly in the context of climate change.

Gyatso Lepcha from Sikkim shared insights on traditional knowledge systems, citing how traditional bridge construction proved useful during the October 2023 cloudburst, which led to landslides and a major dam breach. Dr. Benedicta Sthuti Kumar from the Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, emphasized that “adaptation is not the same as coping” and underscored the need for strengthened health systems to manage the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on human health.

Amba Jamir, environmentalist and vice president of the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), connected food security with various dynamic systems, including the environment, agriculture, income, education, and health, highlighting the fragility of food security amid the climate crisis. Dr. Narayan Sharma from Cotton University presented on the changing habitation of wildlife due to urbanization in and around Guwahati, noting the increased canine population due to garbage disposal practices.

Rizwan Uz Zaman from the Assam Climate Management Society discussed the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) and the need for integrated implementation by various departments. He emphasized that mainstreaming climate action into rural governance and policy is now a priority strategy within the SAPCC.

Senior architects Kailash Pradhan, Aiban Mawkhroh, and Urmi Buragohain advocated for creating people-friendly, inclusive spaces with strong cultural vibes. Sandeep Chachra, Executive Director of ActionAid Association, remarked, “The challenges posed by climate change require a collective effort to develop sustainable urban solutions. This conclave is a crucial step towards building resilient urban communities in the face of climate change.”

Dipali Sharma, Director of Organisational Effectiveness at ActionAid Association, Delhi, discussed ActionAid’s interventions and opportunities for climate justice, urging attendees to collaborate for greater impact. Mrinal Gohain, Regional Manager & National Lead, North-East Cluster, ActionAid Association, set the context for the conclave, aiming to address the issues and impacts of the climate crisis and plan further actions by stakeholders and educational institutions.

The conclave also featured discussions on urban ecologies, water, sanitation, drainage, waste management, urban economy and livelihoods, public health, governance, financing for urban futures, land, housing, markets, public spaces, and mobility challenges. Plans for action research to better understand and document the impacts of climate change on urban centers in the Northeast were drawn up, emphasizing the need for public awareness and effective implementation of SAPCC.

This conclave was the final event in a series of five capacity-building workshops organized by ActionAid Association in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research, with previous workshops held in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Lucknow, and Shimla.

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