To protect children, addressing climate change is mandatory because children are the most vulnerable group to climate change. A child hearing event was organized at Ghoraghat on 10th October 2021 as part of Child Rights Week to give children scope to share their recommendations to government and community leaders regarding climate change related to their surroundings. A total of 30 members were presented and 15 children from the child forum represented the community children, collect thoughts from children and share in the hearing with 12 recommendation points. Some main points are preventing deforestation and encouraging tree plantation, removing illegal and harmful structures like brick plants, maintaining the waste management system, controlling using pesticides in cultivation, etc.

Barsha (16) says, “We are working at the community level to make people aware of climate justice, but we needed a platform to interact with community leaders to strengthen our movement. I have been able to gain new experiences by participating in this child hearing. One needs to know a lot of information while working on a particular issue or claiming rights. So, we also received many awareness sessions and training on climate Justice and then came in a situation to understand and negotiate the situation with respective stakeholders. I think we successfully presented our concerns and recommendation for the further step from government and community level.”

Speaking at the hearing, Md. Soleiman (50), the local leader said, “We usually use chemical fertilizers but now we have become aware of its harmful effect on health and environment. We should move to the use of vermicompost on the land so that damage to the environment can be reduced. Everyone must take alternative and environment-friendly activities to prevent climate change. The children presented various information on climate. I think we need to think about the next generation and refrain from harming the environment.”Along with the child hearing session, children took part in the video interview competition on climate change where they shared their opinion regarding climate justice that has been recorded and the best 3 got prizes. Besides, children participated in handicraft-making competitions what they learned during lockdown when they were living in restricted movement. A variety of colorful decorative products they made using available materials in the home. This was an exciting competition for them.

Sohana (15) says, “Being able to make handicrafts is a lot of fun. These help us to get rid of boredom. Besides, we can decorate our house beautifully with crafts. There is no benefit in throwing away unnecessary household materials rather sometimes it's detrimental to the environment. But if these are used, then we can spend our time and get a lot of pleasure.”