Bhattadev University-Where Learning Met Purpose : ‘CLIMATE JUSTICE 101’ Internship Ends, A Responsibility Begins

Bhattadev University-Where Learning Met Purpose : ‘CLIMATE JUSTICE 101’ Internship Ends, A Responsibility Begins

ASTHA BHARADWAJ

Some journeys leave behind more than memories , they leave behind purpose.They inspire us to think differently, challenge us to grow and remind us that meaningful change begins with a single step. The Climate Justice 101: Empowering Community Leadership internship, jointly organised by Mahabahu Climate Forum and UNESCO, was one such transformative experience. Beginning on 18 June and concluding on 10 July 2026, this programme became much more than an internship. It was a journey of learning, collaboration, self discovery, leadership and environmental responsibility. Recognised as India’s first internship dedicated to climate justice, it empowered young minds to understand climate challenges through the lens of science, traditional ecological knowledge, community participation and collective action.

Over the course of three remarkable weeks, nearly one hundred students from diverse disciplines came together with a common purpose to understand climate justice and to become future leaders capable of creating meaningful change within their communities. Throughout the internship, we had the privilege of learning from renowned scientists, academicians, environmentalists, policymakers and practitioners. Every lecture broadened our perspective, every discussion challenged our thinking and every assignment strengthened our commitment towards building a more sustainable and climate resilient future.

Bhattadev University and Climate Justice Classroom

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The journey was demanding yet immensely rewarding. Along with attending daily sessions, we completed home assignments, participated in discussions, documented our learning and worked extensively on reports and presentations. Between 25 June and 8 July, many of us worked tirelessly from undertaking field visits for TEK practice during day light to often until midnight, refining our assignments and preparing for the final presentation. Knowing that each assignment would be carefully evaluated by our mentors, we approached every task with sincerity, dedication and attention to detail.

9th July, The Students’ Day to Speak

The most anticipated day of the internship arrived on 9 July, which our respected Supervisor, Mr. Rituraj Phukan, had dedicated as “the students’ day to speak” For seven days, we had attentively listened to distinguished resource persons and experts. This day, however, belonged to us.

Nearly one hundred interns were divided into ten teams, each proudly named after one of Assam’s rivers, symbolising the deep connection between rivers, people, and nature. Our team represented Team Aai River, while other groups carried the names of rivers such as Kaldia, Barak, Pagladia, Kapili and many others.

Mahabahu Climate Forum Experience: Seven Days of Climate Learning

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Each team selected a unique aspect of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Some explored indigenous agricultural practices, others focused on sacred groves, wetlands, biodiversity conservation, traditional livelihoods and community based environmental management. Every team prepared detailed reports, photo documentation, video documentation, and presentations based on their chosen themes.

Our team presented on Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Bamboo Cultivation in Assam. We began by introducing the inspiring environmental legacy of Jadav “Molai” Payeng, whose lifelong dedication transformed a barren sandbar into the flourishing Molai Forest.

From there, we explored bamboo’s ecological, cultural and economic importance in Assam, discussing traditional cultivation techniques, sustainable harvesting practices, biodiversity conservation, bamboo biochar, carbon sequestration and bamboo’s immense potential in climate change mitigation and sustainable development. We concluded our presentation by proposing the establishment of a Bamboo Green Campus at Bhattadev University, envisioning it as a living model of sustainability, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

Bhattadev University and the Mahabahu Climate Forum in Manas National Park

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Standing before such an esteemed audience was both exciting and unforgettable. We were given ten minutes to present our work and receiving appreciation from our respected Supervisor Mr. Rituraj Phukan, President Mr. Anjan Sarma and evaluator Dr. Akshay Kumar Haloi Sir & Mr. Ananda Khatoniar, was truly encouraging. Their positive remarks strengthened our confidence and reassured us that our hard work had been worthwhile.One of the proudest moments of my internship was receiving the remarks in my logbook from our respected Supervisor, Mr. Rituraj Sir. His encouraging words made me feel that all my hard work had been truly recognised and inspired me to continue contributing towards climate action.

Listening to the presentations of other teams was equally inspiring. Every presentation reflected the richness of Assam’s indigenous knowledge systems and demonstrated how traditional practices continue to provide sustainable solutions to today’s environmental challenges.

10th July, A Memorable Valedictory Session

The concluding session on 10 July marked the successful completion of an extraordinary journey. The programme commenced with Mr. Anjan Sarma , who warmly welcomed everyone and reflected on the successful completion of the internship.

Climate Justice 101 Internship Programme by Mahabahu Climate Forum Begins at Bhattadev University

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Our respected Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Dhanapati Deka Sir, appreciated the dedication, discipline and enthusiasm shown by all the interns. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to the supervisors, coordinators, resource persons and everyone whose tireless efforts made this pioneering internship a grand success.

One of the most memorable moments of the valedictory session was the opportunity I received to share my reflections on the internship before the distinguished dignitaries, resource persons, mentors and fellow participants. Speaking about my experiences over the past three weeks, I expressed how the programme had transformed my understanding of climate justice, community leadership and environmental responsibility. It was both an honour and a deeply fulfilling experience to have my thoughts heard and appreciated in such an esteemed gathering.

The valedictory session was enriched by inspiring lectures from eminent dignitaries, each leaving us with valuable lessons that will continue to guide us long after the internship.

Dr. Satyendra Singh, IFS, CEO of the Assam Climate Change Management Society (ACCMS), delivered an insightful lecture on climate science and climate change mitigation. He explained the crucial role of carbon sequestration, describing how forests, wetlands, bamboo ecosystems and other natural landscapes capture and store atmospheric carbon, making them indispensable in combating climate change. His lecture helped us appreciate that conserving nature is among the most effective climate solutions available to humanity.

Become a Climate Reality Leader: How a Global Movement Is Inspiring Climate Action from Tennessee to Assam’s Campuses

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One of the most memorable and intellectually enriching sessions was delivered by Mr. Arup Kumar Mishra, distinguished academic, chemical engineer, environmental scientist former director of ASTEC and Chairman of the Pollution Control Board, Assam. He began with the timeless wisdom of Chief Seattle, reminding us through his famous words, “How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land?” that nature is not a commodity but our shared inheritance.

He further reflected on Chief Seattle’s enduring message that the Earth does not belong to us; we belong to the Earth, inspiring us to rebuild our relationship with nature through respect and responsibility. Mr. Mishra then introduced us to A Sand County Almanac (1949) by Aldo Leopold, explaining how Leopold’s Land Ethic encouraged humanity to see itself as a member of the ecological community rather than its master. He also spoke about Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, the landmark publication that awakened the world to the environmental consequences of indiscriminate pesticide use and sparked the modern environmental movement.

Bhattadev University Launch Green Campus Programme to Foster Sustainability in NE India: A Mahabahu Initiative

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Connecting these historic milestones with the present, he explained how environmental awareness gradually evolved into the global movements for climate action and climate justice. He highlighted the efforts of climate activists across the world who continue to advocate for fair and equitable climate policies, urging developed nations to accept greater responsibility for addressing climate change. His lecture reminded us that climate justice is not only about protecting ecosystems but also about ensuring fairness, equity and responsibility for present and future generations.

Mr. Ramnish Geer , joint director, CBI Guwahati branch reflected upon the internship as a whole and reminded us that biodiversity conservation begins within our own communities. He encouraged us to protect ecologically significant landscapes, particularly wetlands and Ramsar Sites such as Deepor Beel, emphasising that community participation is essential for safeguarding our natural heritage. His enriching presentation beautifully encapsulated every aspect of what our internship truly stood for, bringing together the core values of climate justice, environmental stewardship, community leadership and collective action.

Green Campus Revolution in Assam: How Bhattadev University is Shaping Youth-Led Climate Resilience?

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Mr. Kalyanjit Hatibaruah inspired us to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship by developing climate-focused and sustainable startups. His address encouraged every student to become a problem-solver who transforms environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable development. The interactive session that followed further enriched the programme. I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Hatibaruah about the scope of entrepreneurship in the field of carbon credits and climate focused startups. The thoughtful response encouraged us to look beyond conventional career paths and explore innovative, sustainable enterprises that can contribute meaningfully to climate action while creating economic opportunities for communities.

The distribution of certificates marked an emotional moment for all of us. Receiving the certificate was not merely a recognition of our participation; it symbolised weeks of learning, dedication, teamwork, and personal growth. It reminded us that every lecture attended, every assignment completed, every field observation made, and every discussion participated in had contributed to shaping us into more informed and responsible citizens.

The valedictory session concluded on an emotional and heartfelt note. Our respected Supervisor, Mr. Rituraj Phukan, expressed his sincere gratitude to every resource person, mentor, coordinator and participant who had contributed to making the internship a remarkable success. Before concluding his address, he warmly asked all of us whether we had enjoyed the internship and our enthusiastic response reflected just how meaningful and transformative the experience had been for every participant.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS EVERYWHERE

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The programme came to a close with the final remarks by Mr. Anjan Sarma, who offered a heartfelt vote of thanks and acknowledged the collective efforts of everyone involved in organising this unique initiative. As a gesture of our immense respect and gratitude, all the interns rose to their feet and gave a standing ovation to Mr. Rituraj Phukan. His unwavering dedication as an environmentalist and climate activist, his humility and his inspiring mentorship throughout the internship touched each one of us deeply. Opportunities to learn so closely from a mentor of his calibre are truly rare, and we consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have been guided by him during this unforgettable journey. His leadership and encouragement will continue to inspire us long after the internship has ended.

As I look back on this incredible journey, I realise that the greatest achievement is not the certificate I received but the perspective I gained. This internship taught me that climate justice is not merely an academic concept, it is a way of understanding the interconnectedness of people, ecosystems, traditional knowledge, science and sustainable development. It strengthened my belief that meaningful environmental change begins with informed individuals and empowered communities working together.

Climate Anxiety Crisis: How Climate Change is Destroying Young People’s Mental Health Worldwide

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I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Bhattadev University, Mahabahu Climate Forum, and UNESCO for creating such a unique and inspiring platform for young learners. My sincere thanks to our respected Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Dhanapati Deka; the President of Mahabahu Climate Forum, Mr. Anjan Sarma; the Secretary and Convener, Mr. Rituraj Phukan; all the distinguished resource persons, mentors, coordinators, and my fellow interns for making this journey truly unforgettable.

As the curtains fell on this remarkable journey, I realised that the greatest reward was never the certificate it was the perspective we gained. Climate justice is not merely an idea to discuss but a responsibility to uphold. This internship may have come to an end, but the journey it began within us has only just started.

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