DIMAPUR: An Environment Leadership Programme for young students, based on the Pani Pahar curriculum developed by Hearth Advisors and the University of Cambridge, was held at Tea Courtyard, Atoqa Tea Factory, Niuland, on July 25.
The event was organised by North East Environment and Development Association (NEEDA) and White Owl, and sponsored by Atoqa Tea Factory producing CTC black tea under the brand Nagaland Gold (North East Brews) and The Tea Courtyard, with the vision of promoting tea, eco adventure and ecotourism.
According to a press release issued by Dr. Atoho Jakhalu, Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society, students from Hope Academy, St. Peters, Livingstone Foundation International, Milon, Toluvi Church Sunday School, and Tetso College participated in interactive environmental learning sessions conducted by Shashank Vira, Cambridge alumnus and author of the Pani Pahar curriculum. A personality development and leadership session was also conducted by Tonoto Zhimomi, recipient of the TAFMA Excellence Award from the Governor and former Global Mr. Nagaland.
The release stated that the Cambridge curriculum is currently being implemented in seven North Eastern states under the Mobius North East Climate Project, a platform of North East Leaders Connect (NELC). The initiative was officially launched by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in Pasighat in 2025, and inaugurated by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in Kohima the same year.
It further noted that the Mobius Nagaland Chapter won the Nagaland United Nations Sustainable Goal Award for Environmental Sustainability 2025. Highlighting the ecological significance of the region, the release added that North East India falls under the Indo Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, which holds one fourth of India’s forest cover, underscoring that local action carries major implications for India’s national and global forest and climate commitments.
