The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has even attacked villages in the far corner of the State. The virus has not even spared the villages, which are within the project area of NESFAS. The situation has compelled NESFAS to go beyond the mandate of the project and work with the 130 villages in Meghalaya and Nagaland and embark on the work of suppressing the spread of the virus.
Ever since its inception in 2012, NESFAS has played a major role in the preservation of indigenous food cultures and traditions in the North East of India, especially in Meghalaya. Over these years, NESFAS has worked relentlessly to fulfill its mission of highlighting the connection between sourcing tasty, healthy, local foods and the responsibility one has towards the protection and preservation of the agrobiodiversity that produces these foods.
The International Day for Biological Diversity, 22nd May 2021, commemorates a day to highlight important issues surrounding Biological Diversity and raise awareness for the same. Variety of life on the planet is on a gradual decline and initiating a conversation about this is the need of the hour.
Pollination is one natural process, second only to photosynthesis that decides the future of the ecosystem. Three out of four crops across the globe depend, in some way, on pollination for successful human use; they not only contribute to healthy diets but also to maintaining and nurturing biodiversity on earth.
The year 2007 marked the inception of the Umngot Hydro Electric Project construction when initially survey started taking place. Umsawwar community, of Mawkynrew C&RD Block, East Khasi Hills, which presently homes 529 people, has always been at the forefront of protesting against this project since 2012 till date.
Under the current Rural Electrification Corporation Foundation (REC)-funded project “No One Shall Be Left Behind Initiative”, the North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity (NESFAS) has the goal of promoting indigenous food systems that will significantly contribute to improved nutrition, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.