IIM Shillong - Sustainability Trek

Participants of PGP18 were privileged to take part in the sustainability trek. We got the opportunity to visit the sacred forest and to have a trek in a country side hilly area. We got the opportunity to have a sustainability trek in the midst of misty clouds and beautiful greenery. The sustainability trek is unique to IIM Shillong. Getting a feel of the nature and the advantages of preserving it was the first step in learning sustainability and business. We were taken to the sacred forest first. We got a nice view of the surroundings natural beauty from the buses in the way.

The first place that we visited was the sacred forest. There are around 200 sacred forests in the world out of which 165 sacred forests have been maintained. The sacred forest that we visited was the mother of all sacred forests. Every Khasi community has a sacred forest. They worship and preserve them. As per our guide, there is no Khasi community that does not have a sacred forest. All the male members of the community perform rituals in the forest. It used to protect them from foreign invaders. Leaving anything inside the forest and taking anything out of the forest was prohibited. The forest was filled with variety of flora and fauna. The Khasi community living near the forest have preserved the forest and because of them we could enjoy the beautiful forest.

After visiting the sacred forest, we were taken to a hilly country side area. We trekked for almost ten kilometres. This trek was a lifetime experience. We got to see rivers, water falls, farming in hills and lifestyle of native Khasi people. We were actually trekking through the misty clouds. It felt like being in the lap of nature. We were enjoying the cool environment. I would like to visit this place again whenever I get a chance.

The main motive of the sustainability trek was to encourage us to implement sustainability in business. The industrial sector is growing worldwide but along with it there is growth in degradation to the environment. It is predicted that in the coming 10-20 years if we continue to have business as we are having now, then it would have a great impact to the environment. If we have to preserve places that we visited then we as future managers must implement sustainability. Our sustainability professor organizes such treks every year before commencement of the sustainability course.

Which ABG company would you want to work for and why?

I would like to work in Hindalco Industries. Hindalco produces aluminium and copper products; and also chemicals on a large scale and there would be a plethora of opportunities to work as a manager in the field of operations and supply chain management. I am passionate to work in the field of operations and supply chain management. I am enthusiastic to do tasks which involves planning the production activities, quality management, materials management, supply chain management etc. I would be able to fulfil my desire to work in the field of operations and supply chain management while working in Hindalco Industries.

  Alok Anand Thakur PGP 1st Year IIM Shillong