Discussing and looking ways to resolve various environmental issues faced in Ladakh, two-day conference on ‘Buddhism and Environment in Ladakh’ brought all the experts together on May 9 and 10 at Nagarjuna Auditorium Hall, CIBS, Choglamsar.

The conference was organised by Snow Leopard Conservancy- India Trust, Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (Deemed to be University) and All Ladakh Gonpa Association.

Explaining the importance of environment in the context of Buddhism, His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche said, “Buddha Dharma teaches the concept of dependent origination which states that all beings and phenomena are caused to exist by other beings and phenomena, and are dependent on them. Thus, a collective effort is needed to safeguard the existence of each other.”

Citing land and water as our parents, His Holiness stressed the importance of understanding the value of the environment. And asked each and everyone to implement the discussion and thoughts into action to bring change and tackle environmental issues.

His Holiness highlighted the water crisis and the need for conservation in the Himalayan region. An advice was conveyed to the people of Ladakh to work at the community level to safe water especially in the winter months by constructing reservoirs and Ice stupa.

Dorjay Motup, CEC appreciated the initiative with an interest at large to tackle the growing environmental issues.

Also, talking about various initiatives carried out by different spiritual leaders in context with the environment, he said, “Change can be seen if everyone put the teaching of the spiritual leaders into practical implication.”

He also shared his concern over water issues to be foreseen in Ladakh if not used judiciously.

Environmental issues are becoming a major concern with modernization and changing lifestyle. The shift of traditional agricultural and pastoral practices, more of commercial unit setup, depleting stage of streams and rivers, pollution, increasing population of a feral dog, lack of waste management, mass tourism, migration and climate change needs to address for a better tomorrow.

Ven. Shedup Chamba, LGA President spoke on the importance of organizing conferences and discussion to find a way for the growing environmental issues in Ladakh with modernization.

 

Dr. Tsewang Namgyal, Director, SLC-IT said, “Today we are living in a society where earning income is prioritized above all.  Least interest in shown on environment conservation because of the human greed to have more, thus, ending up harming the fragile ecosystem. There is a need to come up, understand the issue and find a solution to nurture the environment for better tomorrow.”

He further added that they are looking forward to organise such conference with different faiths in order to reach out the masses at all levels.

 

The conference holds a discussion on environmental conservation, waste management, the role of Buddhism and perspective on the environment, wildlife conservation were carried out by the experts at all levels.

The conference ‘Environment and Buddhism in Ladakh’ imparts the basic teaching of the Buddha to live in harmony with nature.  The inter-relatedness of everything is a perfect example to live without harming others benefitting the whole environment.

It's never too late to all strata of the society to join hands and take action in protecting the environment for all species. His Holiness Dalai Lama said, “We are the generation with the awareness of a great danger. We are the ones with the responsibility and the ability to take steps of concrete action before it’s too late."