Environment Talk Series in remote Tibetan Settlements

Environment and Development Desk (EDD) Staff Jigme Norbu and Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha traveled to the remote Tibetan Settlement of Odisha, Mainpat and Bhandara at the end of February 2013. The trip was a follow up to the on going environment awareness  program by EDD to educate general public about current environment situation on Tibetan Plateau. The two staff made it very clear and firm in their approach to make the presentations short, relevant and convenient to the general public.

The awareness program includes topics such as:

• Climate Change and its impact on Tibetan Plateau.
• Mining and resource extraction in Tibet.
• Tibetan Rivers and its significance to Asia.
• Tibetan Nomads and forceful removal.
• Endangered species of Tibet

Two of them have been able to visit all five camps and three schools in Odisha Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlements. According to them the most exciting part of their presentation was when primary school students simultaneously raised their hands to answer during a brief quiz conducted right after the talk. They also seem very excited when students put forth endless questions  though not all seem relevant to their subject. For the children the presentations seem great fun, interesting and educative. The teachers thanked the two EDD staff profusely for the presentation and requested for more such talks in future.

Occasionally the lights went off middle they talk and the presentation had to be carried on with Laptop in arm. 

At the Mainpat Phendeling Tibetan Settlement the two EDD staff gave one common talk to the general public for which surprisingly quite many turned up despite a very busy occasion for the locals. Another talk was given the next day to the primary school.

Finally the two EDD staff reached Bhandara Norgyeling Tibetan Settlement after a long rough journey covering some of the most remote areas in central part of India.

They visited both the camps where the general public showed great interest and raised few questions and opinions. One asked for more such Talks in future while another old man said "I was a nomad and its great joy to see pictures of nomads but also very sad to know what's happening to them…….".