Two persons from the Ladakh region, representing India at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 21 or CMP 11) in Paris, have brought a proud moment for the remote region.
Jigmet Takpa, Chief Conservator of Forests, Ladakh, and Director, Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency, Leh, and Stanzin Dorjai Gia, Director, Himalaya Film House, who belongs to remote Gya village, 70 km east of Leh, are representing India at the conference.
Takpa was officially invited by the general secretary of COP 21 to attend the conference from November 30 to December 11 to showcase his works on climate change, mitigation and adaptation in the Himalayas. He is a member of the Indian delegation and made a presentation on “energy access” on December 1 at the conference.
At the UN conference, initiatives for mitigation and adaptation in response to climate change in the form of biodiversity conservation, rural livelihood improvement projects and renewable energy initiatives taken by Ladakh were appreciated.
Two movies by Stanzin Dorjai Gia —-“Jungwa” and “Lighting up Himalaya” —-showcasing climate change, mitigation and adaptation, would be screened at the UN conference. The movies were selected from among 500 entries around the world.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature will screen the movies to the audience at the UN conference on December 8.
The movie —- “Lighting up Himalaya”—- on the Ladakh renewable energy initiative —- is screened every day at the Indian pavilion.
An official lunch was also organised at the Elysee Palace in honour of Jigmet Takpa, Stanzin Dorjai Gia and Christiane Mordelet for their work on December 2. Takpa and Stanzin took part in several discussions and debates on climate change, mitigation and adaptation during the UN conference.
According to the organising committee, the objective of the 2015 conference is to achieve, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, a binding and universal agreement on climate from all nations.
Proud moment for Ladakh: Two locals attend UN conference
