ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Environment & Forests Minister Nabam Rebia while admitting that there is smuggling of Paris polyphylla, a rare medicinal plant found in several districts of the state, said a committee has been constituted as on 21 August to formulate guidelines and modalities for cultivation, harvesting and commerciali-zation of important medicinal plants, including Paris pollyphylla.
Sound system goes kaput in LS
The sound system in the state assembly went out of order at around 3:11 pm, towards the end of the speech of MLA Tesam Pongte. MLA Gabriel D Wangsu had to wait for nearly three minutes to start his deliberation. The sound system was okayed at around 3:20 pm.
It again went out of order at 5 pm. The chief minister gave his speech without a sound system for nearly 10 minutes. However, it was brought back to order, but after 10 long minutes.
Rebia informed that the matter was discussed in the last meeting of the State Board for Wildlife, and in the meeting convened by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on 24 May with forest officials of the state.
“Since it is vulnerable, the department cannot fix royalty of this medicinal plant and allow extraction of the naturally growing stock,” Rebia disclosed.
“Cultivation of this species will meet the market requirement and reduce pressure on the naturally growing plants,” he added.
Quotes of the day
1. Aane wala elections main kisiko job ka guarantee dena nahi parega: CM Pema Khandu, participating in the discussion on the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board Bill, 2018.
2. I hope the work culture will be in place after the creation of the SSB: Gabriel D Wangsu
3. It is accumulated problem: Education Minister Honchun Ngandam in connection with the transfer and posting of teachers in the state.
4. Gambhir mudda hain. There will be no quality education without subject teachers: Nabam Tuki former CM on transfer and posting of teachers.
He was responding to BJP MLA Tatung Jamoh who raised the matter of illegal smuggling of the medicinal plant in the state.
During a Calling Attention motion, Jamoh requested the state government to take adequate steps to prevent illegal smuggling of the rare medicinal plant, which is enlisted as a rare, endangered and threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Jamoh informed that the plant, locally known as ‘Kala Kochu’, has been illegally extracted from various districts of the state and traded by smugglers at Rs 4,000-5,000 per kg.
“The smuggling of the plant by people from outside the state has led to law and order problems in various parts of the state, with reports of murder in Upper Siang district in recent times,” Jamoh said, and urged the government to work out modalities to stop the menace.
Paris polyphylla is a member of the family of Melanthiaceae (earlier Trilliaceae or Liliaceae) and is known to have many medicinal properties.
Rebia said that required intensification of forest protection throughout the state is very difficult with the limited manpower available with the department.
“As per our sanctioned strength of frontline staff, one staff has to cover 39 sq kms. The department has shortfall of over 158 frontline staffers, which need to be filled up on priority. However, the chief minister has agreed in principle for creation of 200 posts of forest guard to strengthen the protection works entrusted to the department,” he said.
The minister said a proposal has been submitted to the department of administrative reforms and after obtaining necessary approval from all concerned, a cabinet note would be prepared and placed before the government for creation of the 200 posts. (PTI)
