EDD at Kalachakra 2012

The commencement of the New Year was marked in India by the ten-day Kalachakra initiation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama from January 1 to 10, 2012 at the sacred Buddhist site of Bodhgaya, India. This highly important Buddhist initiation witnessed the attendance of around 200,000 disciples from 63 countries including over 7000 Tibetans from Tibet. 

During this highly anticipated and eventful gathering, EDD carried out various activities to raise awareness about the problems relating to Tibet’s environment with special focus on the Tibetan pilgrims from Tibet and devotees from western countries.

On January 7, 2012, EDD organized an hour-long talk for a large gathering of Tibetans from Tibet on a range of topics including the significance of Tibetan Plateau, the impact of climate change, mining activities, illegal poaching of the wildlife and China’s policies such as nomad resettlement. It was a rare meeting with Tibetans from across the Himalayas who were attentive throughout some of whom even stayed back after the talk to share their experiences about environmental degradation in their localities back home.

EDD team addressing Tibetans about the pressing issues relating to the environment of the Tibetan Plateau.

Besides, Mr. Tenzin Norbu, the executive head of EDD also spoke at length during a conference on ‘Tibet: the Third Pole and its impact on Asia’s future’ organized by the Women’s Environment and Development Desk (WEDD) of TWA on January 9th, 2012. Other panel of experts include Mr. Micheal Buckley, traveller writer & filmmaker on Tibet; Mr. Vijay Kranti, Indian writer and journalist; and Mr. Tenzin Dorjee, executive director, Students for a free Tibet. During the conference the panellists discussed how in the age of climate changes, Tibet’s environment is under threat thus posing greater threat to Asia and how this could be averted.

Four panelists discussing the impact of Tibet's environment on Asia's future. From the left Tenzin Norbu, Micheal Buckley, Vijay Kranti and Tenzin Dorjee

Mr. Tenzin Norbu making a point about the importance of the Tibetan Plateau