Umsaw (Meghalaya), Nov. 22 (PTI): Sustainable development and enhanced community partnership are needed to protect environment in the Northeast, experts at the seventh edition of the Northeast Green Summit that concluded here on Tuesday said. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on green initiatives in the region was signed between the army’s ‘Eco Task Force’ and summit organiser Vibgyor NE Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in green issues of Northeast India. Arunachal Pradesh Forest Minister Mama Natung, the chief guest at the valedictory function, urged people to treat the flora and fauna around them as their family. “We should follow the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (world is one family) and treat rivers, forests, birds and animals around us as our own family members. Only then can we protect the environment,” he said. The minister called for enhanced “community partnership” and asked people to change the way they think about nature. Urging people to visit Northeast, especially Arunachal Pradesh, for its greenery and “clean air”, Natung said, “There are no air purifiers in the Northeast and we plan to keep it that way.” Rajdeep Roy, an MP and board member of the summit, said the next generation must be encouraged to...