South climate conclave – empowering youth for Climate Action

In an effort to address rising global temperature in South Asian countries, the Climate Action Champions Network (CACN) in Sri Lanka hosted 51 youth delegates and advocates from Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Ten youth delegates from various sectors took part in the third convening of the conclave for three days – that ended on March 17.

The CACN aims to discuss addressing the impact of rising global temperatures on agriculture and water. Additionally, the conclave prepares the participants to raise awareness, drive concrete policy-making initiatives, and encourage collective action in the face of climate change.

Under the theme "World of Change: The Impact of Rising Global Temperature," the south climate conclave provided the participants, with a platform to share knowledge and experiences, fostering the transformation of ideas into actionable solutions.

Tasnia Khandaker, a participant from Bangladesh in her presentation on 'The enduring climate victims' said that Bangladesh is one of the climate-vulnerable countries as a result of climate change. "Due to its geographic location, Bangladesh suffers regular natural hazards resulting in loss of lives every year."

"Climate displacement is a critical phenomenon that requires immediate attention. The government and communities in co-operation with other regions in Asia must frame policies and programmes that can be implemented with full transparency to support the climate victims," she said.

Joe John George, a participant from India, said that educating people with disabilities (PWDs) on the impact of rising global temperature is important. "PWDs experience the impact of climate change and disasters disproportionately."

Presenting his research titled "Disability inclusive disaster risk reduction," he said, "It is everyone's social responsibility to acknowledge and comprehend the requirements of PWDs in policy making, and am adequate mechanism in their assistance."

Tshering Tobgay, a participant from Bhutan said that CACN has provided the participants with a platform to discuss, learn and work in their respective countries. "Youth in Bhutan are better able to understand the impact of climate change better and with a network of friends – youth advocates are better able to voice out in the policy-making level."

He said: "The melting snow in Bhutan has an impact in the lower regions like Sri Lanka – for which, the snow-capped mountains and glaciers in Bhutan must be preserved to allow countries of South Asian regions to enjoy the same benefits as Bhutan do."

Ratul Dev, Executive Director, Gen Lab said that the conclave is designed to encourage collective action from the climate champions focusing on the most critical metric of climate change that we are feeling right now: rising temperature.

He said: "The current climatic trend of rising temperature all across the South Asian region has compelled us to engage in dialogues that will drive concrete policymaking initiatives in its wake."

The participants could also visit the Mangrove Museum in Pambala, Sri Lanka, providing the participants with insights into the impact of rising sea levels and temperature on mangroves, their habitat, and ecosystems.

The CACN members are assisted with a small grant programme to work on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) projects that are feasible and create an impact in the local community.

The programme was supported by Gen-Lab, Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF), Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Institute for Strategic and Socio-Economic Research (ISSR), and Nepal-US Alumni Network (NUSAN).

Samtse’s sacred Mahakal Dham

 ... Amidst the lush forests and towering mountains of Bukay in Samtse lies a sacred site that has been drawing pilgrims for centuries.

The Mahakal Dham is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil. The temple is believed to be one of the oldest in Bhutan, and it is said to be one of the sites where Lord Shiva meditated and performed penance.

Located just 10 kilometres from Samtse town, the Mahakal Dham is a beautiful and peaceful place. The small temple is built in the traditional Bhutanese style, with a sloping roof.

The temple, significant for both Hindu and Buddhist faithful, is especially busy during the annual Maha Shivaratri festival, which is celebrated in between February and March. During the season, thousands of pilgrims come to the temple to pray and offer sacrifices to Lord Shiva.

Mahakal Dham is managed by about 30 members of Bukay Dham Community Forest (BDCF). Pujari Basant Bhandari said that the exact origin and formation of the scared dham remains unknown. "The story passed down from our ancestors is that a herder discovered the sacred dham and gradually became a prominent destination for pilgrims."

Devotees believe that their wishes get fulfilled, making it worth visiting. Hindu devotees from neighbouring Indian states of West Bengal, Darjeeling, and Sikkim visit the dham from autumn until the late spring seasons.

 

There are two magnificently limestone caves in the dham. The larger one is believed to be a sacred place of Lord Shiva where he meditated. It has a place of offering deep inside the cave. It is believed to have two parts: inner and outer parts.

 

"The devotees offer milk and bael patta (Aegle marmelos) to Lord Shiva and seek blessings," said Basant Bhandari.

 

The pilgrims bang one of the unique rock formations believed to be the damaru (two-headed ritual drum) of Lord Shiva, chanting in unison “Bam-Bam Bhole, Jai Bholenath or Har Har Mahadev!”

Another cave, smaller in size, is believed to be the cave of Goddess Devi, which is popular among female pilgrims.

 

The location of the Dham at the trijunction of two gewogs of Samtse and India is a popular eco-tourism destination. For Buddhists, the dham is the sacred place of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig) and Mahakala (Pal Yeshey Gonpo).

 

BDCF’s chairman, TS Ghalley, said that fund constraint is a major challenge for the committee. During monsoon, the dham remains closed because of the swelling river. "We have proposed a paved road until the base camp and a better footpath with railing to Dzongkhag Tshogdu.”

 

A visitor from India said that railings need maintenance and the path is challenging. “Accidents can happen.”

 

Basant Bhandari said that dham could be marketed as a unique tourism product to bring international tourists to the south.