Shillong, Jan 16 (Reporter) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday praised tribal people, particularly women, in conservation and climate action efforts. “Since time immemorial, tribal people have been the vanguard of environmental conservation based on indigenous knowledge, culture and religious beliefs,” the President said while addressing a public gathering at Mawphlang Sacred Groves, adjacent to which is the Khasi Heritage Village in Meghalaya. Noting that Meghalayan people believe that ‘U Basa’ or goddess dwells among lush green forests, She said that tribal practices can be good case studies of how there can be a symbiotic relationship between human beings and nature. “Tribal lifestyle contributes to the promotion of national goals of bio-diversity conservation and maintaining the ecological balance,” Murmu said. Lauding the efforts of tribal people, particularly women in environment conservation and climate control and sharing their wisdom and skills to enhance adaptation and mitigation, she said, “It is well-documented that women are at the heart of the conservation efforts.” “Women in tribal societies have been showing the way in protecting the environment and sharing their wisdom and skills to enhance adaptation and mitigation,” Murmu, the first tribal President, said. “By increasing the participation of women in climate initiatives and decision-making processes, more can be done for effective climate action and bio-diversity conservation,” Murmu added. Admiring the Mawphlang Sacred Groves, the President applauded the wisdom of the fore-fathers who understood and used the traditional concept of conserving nature. “We all should make serious efforts to preserve this kind of forest which is a treasure-house of biodiversity,” she said. Meanwhile, Murmu virtually laid the foundation of a slew of infrastructural and tourism projects in the state. She laid the foundation of the Shillong Peak Ropeway project and the tourism accommodation project in Khongtong, Mawlyngot and Kudengrim villages. The President also inaugurated two newly upgraded roads, Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre and the Mairang-Ranigodown-Azra road all virtually from Mawphlang in East Khasi hills district where she was accorded a public reception. She expressed confidence that the new projects will improve connectivity and will enable Meghalaya to move ahead on the path of sustainable and inclusive development. Stating that Meghalaya has been making a determined effort to emerge as a model state and offering a balanced approach to modernity and tradition, Murmu said, “with good FDI inflows, high exports and a dynamic demography, Meghalaya is emerging as a growth leader and offers an inspiring story...////...