YAZALI : The concluding day of Beej Utsav 2026 brought together scientists, policymakers, community leaders and grassroots stakeholders at Government Higher Secondary School, Yazali, reaffirming Keyi Panyor’s status as India’s first “Bio-Happy District” and outlining a roadmap for sustainable and climate-resilient development.
Co-organised by the 16th Yachuli Assembly Constituency MLA Office, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Keyi Panyor, Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) and the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), the event focused on integrating scientific innovation with indigenous knowledge systems.
A technical panel on nature-based solutions, chaired by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P Subramanian, examined how the district’s forests, wetlands and agro-ecosystems can serve as natural buffers against climate change.
The panel prepared recommendations for submission to the State Government for incorporation into Arunachal Pradesh’s State Action Plan on Climate Change.
Padma Bhushan awardee Rajeev Sethi conducted a design workshop highlighting the potential of agricultural by-products such as rice straw, bamboo offcuts and seed husks for use in handicrafts, sustainable packaging and eco-friendly construction materials. He advocated the establishment of a design incubation cell in Keyi Panyor linked to national craft institutions to promote green entrepreneurship and cultural industries.
The highlight of the day was the launch of the “Seeds of Hope” ecological greening initiative, a district-wide programme aimed at mobilising community seed conservers, schoolchildren, tribal councils and youth clubs as custodians of the environment.
Presiding over the launch alongside Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung, MSSRF Chairperson Dr Soumya Swaminathan described the initiative as a practical expression of the district’s Biohappiness philosophy, with women and youth playing a central role.
The Arunachal Agrobiodiversity Festival and Sustainable Livelihoods Exhibition concluded with a marketplace session showcasing more than 60 indigenous crop varieties, traditional food processing techniques and value-added products developed by community seed conservers, the Spices Board and local enterprises, including NAARA AABA.
Organisers announced that a permanent Agrobiodiversity Resource and Market Linkage Centre would be established in the district to strengthen conservation and livelihood opportunities.
Addressing the valedictory session, Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung reiterated his commitment to translating the resolutions and recommendations emerging from the festival into concrete policy measures within the current financial year.
Dr Swaminathan also announced that MSSRF would partner with KVK Keyi Panyor in documenting and publishing the district’s indigenous ecological knowledge systems to support national-level policy formulation.
The valedictory programme was attended by Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng, Keyi Panyor Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme and senior representatives of the co-organising institutions.
