August 20
Workshop on data dissemination
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: A data dissemination workshop on census data of 2011 census of India was held at Bomdila Govt. College today.
The basic concepts of census data on Housing and Housing census as well as Population
Enumeration was discussed at length by Bharati Chanda, Joint Director, Directorate
of Census Operation, Arunachal Pradesh, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.
She said that Census Data is the most authentic source of information on Socio-
Dr. SC Nayak, Principal of Govt. College, Bomdila and Dr. AK Bhanja, Assistant Professor in Political Science and Tashi Phuntso, Assistant Professor in Economics also spoke on the occasion.
Body of Geten Tali recovered
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: The body of seven-
On hearing the tragic incident, various departments including police, NGOs, community based organizations and individuals jointly conducted search operation. After continuous search operation for four days through river side, the body of the deceased boy was recovered from Bhipuria area. After performing rituals the mortal remains of Geten Tali were laid to rest at Karsingsa.
Flying Squad to check staff attendance
ANINI, Aug 19: Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Tamune Miso today constituted Flying
Squad with his team of Administrative officers, namely, Marpe Riba, Pime Keche and
Kabang Apum to check the un-
The DC was optimistic that this step will check the un-
AAPLU seeks banning of private practice by govt doctors
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: The All Arunachal Pradesh Labour Union (AAPLU) has requested for banning the private practice of government doctors across the state.
In its letter submitted to the health and family welfare minister, it said that the doctors prefer to devote their time in the private chambers and do not give due attention to the patient in the hospital and it has direct impact on poor labour class family who are deprived of getting good medical care in government hospitals.
RFO Sagalee not doing his duty, alleges ASSU
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: The All Sagalee Students’ Union (ASSU) has alleged that a Range Forest Officer posted at Sagalee has not reported to his office for more than five months.
It claimed that when the union enquired the concerned DFO, it was informed that the RFO has been served many notices to immediately join his duty.
The public of Sagalee area are having a tough time as all the official works and other important works are pending, it stated in the release.
CCLAPF hopeful of logical solution to land issue
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: Continuing with its endeavour for a just solution to the ‘contentious land occupation and allotment imbroglio’ of the Capital Complex, a team of Capital Complex Land Affected Peoples’ Forum (CCLAPF) headed by its Chairman Takam Dari Sojik today called on the Parliamentary Secretary (Land Management) Techi Kaso.
Recalling its earlier meeting held with Kaso on June 26 last, the Forum once again
appealed for an early and amicable solution to this vexed issue. The Forum requested
Kaso to use his good office to come out with some logical roadmap for this protracted
issue, which would otherwise adversely affect – directly or indirectly -
Traders’ assoc. give DC 10 days to arrest alleged accused
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: Hapoli Market Traders Association (HMTA) gave Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner 10 days to arrest the culprits involved in looting and attack on salesman of Joram Wine Shop, Hapoli failing which HMTA threatened to launch democratic movement in form of dharna and shutter down etc.
In its letter to the Deputy Commissioner, HMTA said that the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case had failed to make any headway to arrest the culprit(s) even after he was provided with some evidences like CCTV footage and the vehicle used during the incident by the alleged accused who can be traced by monitoring the CCTV footage.
The letter informed the Deputy Commissioner that a case was registered at Ziro Police Station (No 13/14), U/S 448/392/326/34 IPC against the miscreants involved in the incident.
Further, HMTA urged the DC to maintain law and order at Hapoli Township alleging that the present law and order situation in the township was not satisfactory.
Birth anniversary of Rani Maa Gaidininliu celebrated
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: Arunachal Vikash Parishad, Longding unit celebrated the birth centenary of Padmabhushan Rani Maa Gaidininliu at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidhyalalya, Pongchau yesterday.
Wangnai Wangsa, Block Education Officer and Ngunkhaw Ngandam, wife of the local MLA led the participants in offering floral tributes to the portrait of Gaidininliu.
AVP district unit president Chanwang Wangsa threw light on Gaidininliu’s teachings and initiatives for protection, promotion and preservation of culture and traditions of people of North East in particular and the country in general.
Wancho Cultural Society general secretary S Wangsa, Head-
The students of KGBV presented patriotic songs and patriotic dances.
The programme was attended by around 200 people.
ZPM office building inaugurated
SEPPA, Aug 19: The New Office Building of Zilla Parishad Chairperson was inaugurated by Parliamentary Secretary Tax & Excise Tapuk Taku in presence of ADC cum DPDO P Jain, PD Kenbom Nyodu and ZPC Meyuk Cheda at Seppa yesterday.
While addressing the PRI members and DRDA staff in an inaugural function, Taku said that the long pending demand for devolution of power has ultimately been given for 29 subjects. The state Govt. is paying much attention towards PRI members and the new ZPC office building is an example. He also said that PRI members being the functionaries at the grassroots level for infrastructural development in the interior areas should take up need based schemes.
Regarding power and functions, he said that when sanctioning powers were given, the
PRI members have an equal responsibility and obligations to fall on. While advocating
the people to be self-
APCSD organizes medical camp
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal (APCSD) with specialist doctors from Arunachal State Hospital organized a health camp at Longding on Sunday.
Hundreds of people thronged the medical camp and blood samples were collected from the suspected malaria patients out of which more than 150 patients were tested positive for malaria. Patients suffering from diarrhea were also treated and they were given medicines and ORS.
Dr. Tomar Nyodu and Dr Radhe Natung along with DMO Longding and team of laboratory technicians and nurses from Karuna Trust conducted the health camp.
It was reported by the village chief that 15 persons have so far died due to these disease in the village, the release informed.
Congress Seva Dal Chief Organizer Kipa Kaha distributed medicated mosquito nets and life saving drugs to the villagers of Longkai.
The team reached remote border village of k/Nonku village the next day and treated patients suffering from various diseases.
According to the village chief, the release claimed, atleast 28 people have died so far of these diseases. The village head (king) Chawang Wangham informed the visiting team that they were unable to evacuate patients for treatment due to disruption in road communication.
While highlighting the various welfare measures of the Nabam Tuki led Government for the rural people, he called upon the youths to shun the wrong path and engage themselves in productive activities for bright future.
Congress Seva spokesperson Geli Ete also informed the people about the welfare activities of the govt. and chief minister’s health insurance programme.
The team was scheduled to arrive at Kanubari today where they will wind up their four days medical camp in Longding.
AGEM holds essay competition
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: The Arunachal Green Environment Mission (AGEM) conducted a drawing
and an essay competition for all the middle/secondary/higher secondary schools of
V-
The competition was held for junior (VI to VIII) and Senior (IX to XII) category. The topic for junior group drawing competition was “Effect of deforestation/ecological imbalance due to deforestation” and for senior group essay competition was “JE (Japanese Encephalitis) and its prevention”.
In the junior group drawing competition, Anuran Chakraborti of class -
In the senior category essay competition Meena Tam of Class-
All other participants were awarded with consolation prizes with merit certificate.
Nam Ghar inaugurated at Khonsa
KHONSA, Aug 19: The State PPA leader and public leader Wangman Lowangcha inaugurated a Nam Ghar at Khonsa township yesterday amidst a huge gathering.
In his speech Lowangcha said that there were Nam Ghars in almost all the villages
of Nokte and Wancho areas in early 1700 to 1970s. During the period Gukhai’s from
Assam (Axom) used to visit all the Nam Ghars located in Nokte and Wancho villages
and prayed for peace and prosperity of the people. He also said that undivided Tirap
people viz:-
One of the senior public leaders Ngampey Lamaty also spoke about the importance of worship of Shankar Dev and joined in the celebration of Janmastami.
Media person Gawang Sumpa, while speaking on the occasion, appealed to all Assamese people residing in Tirap district to keep strong relationship with Nokte and Wancho people for ever.
Earlier the Namghar committee members Dipali Bhuyan, Secretary Namghar committee, B.C. Medhi, President, Namghar Committee, Khonsa and others expressed their gratefulness to the land donor Wangman Lowangcha for his kind and generous contribution. DIPRO
Community training at Pakke Kessang
SEPPA, Aug 19: Strong mechanism for monitoring and supervision is a must for successful implementation of RTE Act and achieving the goals of education. Undoubtedly monitoring is done by the stakeholders but it would not be effective and fruitful unless the stakeholders ensure the review of implementation, remedial measures and assessment which are unavoidable steps that must be taken. Keeping these in view, R. Pathak, BRCC/ Pedagogy coordinator organized a five days community mobilization programme from 13 to 17 August last for SMC members, PRI members and all other stakeholders at block level under SSA.
For this purpose, a team was constituted under the chairmanship of Tado Gollo, ZPM and BEO, BRCC, CRCCs and District coordinator community mobilization/RTE. The team inspected three schools of Passa Valley and eight Schools of Pakke Valley.
Community training was conducted at Rilloh on August 13 and 14 at Pakke Kessang Sec. School under the chairmanship of the ZPM. He gave a strong message to the house consisting of ASM chairperson, ASMs, SMC, teachers and parents for ensuring school functioning. The same programme was conducted at Sede under Mering Natung, ZPM Pijerang on 24th July 2014 last. She asked the participants to ensure smooth functioning of Schools and MDM and warned that irregularity in duty shall not be tolerated.
All related topics like RTE, powers and functions of SMC, PRI, child’s right, POCSO,
school development plan, DISE, VER etc were also explained. For effective monitoring
-
Pangia & Aga emerge toppers in school quiz
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: Robo Pangia, Class –X and Tadar Aga, Class –IX of Exalt Foundation
School, Itanagar secured 1st position in the INTACH India Heritage Quiz -
Correction
In the news report with the headline ‘Relief Sought’, published in this daily on August 19, Sagalee MLA was wrongly mentioned as Doimukh MLA. Hence, it should be read as “….. Meanwhile, the Anchal Chairperson, VIII Mengio CD Block, Papum Pare district has urged the chief minister and Sagalee MLA for immediate relief for the villagers of Silsango and Mengio circle claiming that the villagers lost agriculture and horticulture cultivation in the flood.” The inadvertent error is regretted.
Corrigendum
The opening ceremony of TTMVB tournament will be held on August 20 at Solung Mopin Ground, Itanagar which was inadvertently given as August 21 on August 19 edition of this daily.
News Impact
Demand for Patkai ADC intensifies
KHONSA, Aug 19: The demand for creation of Patkai Autonomous District Council (PADC) for Tirap, Changlang and Longding has intensified of late with a series of meetings having been held at Itanagar, Changlang and Deomali. The meeting held at Deomali on yesterday was attended by all the elected leaders from Tirap and Changlang districts including former ministers T L Rajkumar, CC Singpho and Wangpha Lowang who chaired the meeting.
The MLAs from Longding district could not make it to the meeting due to unavoidable circumstances.
Minister for Civil Supplies Komlung Mossang said that demand for the PADC is the demands of the people of the three backward districts and the leaders are only leading from the front for the cause of the people. He appealed all the people including the youth, NGOs and common people to rise to the occasion to materialize the demand for the benefit of the people at the earliest.
All the MLAs and the former ministers while participating in the deliberation, emphatically said that the demand for the PADC was very much within the framework of the Indian Constitution and there was absolutely no scope for dividing the people of the state on ethnic line as apprehended by some Arunachalees. They all said in unison that if PADC was granted by the GOI, the economic condition of the people of the three backward districts would improve and would generate more employment opportunities.
Taking part in the meeting Denhang Bosai, DIPRO and Secretary of Society for Promotion of Nocte Indigenous Culture requested the MLAs to hold such awareness meetings in their respective constituencies and urged the elected leaders to play more active role in order to achieve that goal sooner than later. He said that the demand for ADC was a constitutional privilege or right guaranteed by the hallowed Indian constitution to its citizens wherever deemed feasible adding that no body or organization had the right to curtail or scuttle some one’s constitutional right.
MLA Wangling Lowangdong who is the Spokesperson of the PADC Demand Committee while summing up the meeting said that there was no looking back as the demand for the PADC had reached a point of no return. He said that it was the demand of the people of the three districts and the elected leaders were only spearheading the movement and giving a direction. Lowangdong exhorted all sections of people to leave no stone unturned and be ready to travel the proverbial extra mile to achieve the PADC which was the only answer to the multifarious problems afflicting the three districts. He informed the huge gathering that the bill for the PADC had already been passed unanimously by the State Legislative Assembly and had been strongly recommended by the CM to the GOI. He further said that the ball was now in the court of the Centre urging all to pursue it vigorously. He also elaborately explained the constitution of the PADC very meticulously drafted by former ministers T L Rajkumar and L. Wanglat wherein all the finer points from other ADCs had been incorporated and its salient features.
The meeting was also attended by PRI leaders, leaders from the three districts, students
and public. It may be mentioned here that the demand for grant of PADC was started
from 2003-
CM reviews hydro projects, appeals power developers to expedite technical process
NEW DELHI, Aug 19: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, who is on his visit to national capital to follow up state related issues with the Centre, took a review of all the Hydropower projects of the capacity 100 Mw and above at New Delhi today.
In a day-
The CM said that all major issues which came out in the meeting will be further taken
up at the highest levels in the related Union Ministries and also with the Prime
Minister of India. He also mentioned that any laxity or non-
Parliamentary Secretary (Hydropower) Phurpa Tsering, Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi, Chief Advisor to the Government H K Paliwal, Secretary Power Kaling Tayeng and other senior officials from the State Government were present in the discussions. (CM’s medic cell)
Greed, nature and impending catastrophes
Tongam Rina
The human and nature conflict in Capital Region and elsewhere has come out in open with the arrival of the monsoons. There are reports of death and destruction because of the landslides caused by incessant rain. And sadly, the scenes of death and destruction will be played out every monsoon because we have not been careful while dealing with nature.
Disregarding everything, we have flattened and destroyed Itanagar-
How did we manage to turn this once beautiful, cloud kissed and green town into a living nightmare?
The administration always has knee-
The greed of the people could have been controlled to an extent, if the administration and government had been a bit strict, a bit sooner.
Because we totally disregard safety measures and nature’s course, it has come to
trouble us. Nature usually is not so ruthless-
The recent order of the Capital Complex administration “discouraging” construction of buildings with more than four stories has rather come very late. We can only hope that the order will be implemented properly and won’t be forgotten as soon as the rain goes. But on the other hand, have the government followed its own rules and notices? Have they been fearless enough to act?
Right now, we can barely figure out where the roads end and the construction begins. Mountains have been chopped off literally to make way for buildings.
The other day, a hillock near a petrol pump in Papu Nallah literally fell off right in front of the people, blocking the highway for more than five hours. The mountains cannot be stitched together again but if we take control of our greed and have some amount of regard for safety, certainly we can stop impending catastrophes that lurk ahead.
Public Accounts Committee monitors
on-
CHANGLANG, Aug 19: The Public Accounts Committee of Arunachal Legislative Assembly visited Changlang today to have physical verification of the ongoing projects being implemented through various departments in Changlang district.
The committee headed by its chairman Nikh Kamin and members Wanglam Sawin and Pani Taram, both MLAs will monitor the ongoing projects under various schemes at Changlang for two days.
While addressing the visiting team at her conference hall, Changlang Deputy Commissioner Chanchal Yadav informed that departments in Changlang work as a team. She assured them to take the district to a new height of development in years to come.
Introducing the district through power point presentation, she informed that the
district is vast in area and is second largest in the state in terms of population.
She informed that the district has many circle headquarters inaugurated in recent
months but most of them are non-
Chairman, Public Committee Nikh Kamin while explaining the important role of Public Accounts Committee urged the entire executing department to maintain work quality and ensure timely completion of the schemes. He stressed on timely submission of utilization certificate which paves major hindrances in getting fund from the Centre. Terming that revenue is an important component for state’s financial growth he called upon all to check revenue leakage and asked them to work for increase in revenue generation.
Pani Taram, Wanglam Sawin, Phosum Khimhun and Tesam Pongte, all MLAs, also spoke on the occasion. The meeting was attended by all heads of the department Changlang.
Thereafter the team paid site visit to monitor the under Construction Mini-
MLA reviews developmental activities in West Kameng, assures to provide 10 lacs each for procurement of medicines
BOMDILA, Aug 19: The review meeting of all the activities of the various departments of the district was held at Bomdila on August 17 last.
Presiding over the meeting Deputy Commissioner A K Singh opined that such convergence
of all the MLAs and HoDs of the district at a time and place would go a long way
in facilitating speedy and all-
He advised the HoDs and other officers present to highlight their departmental activities,
schemes proposed and other initiatives taken up for the year ahead so that the concerned
MLAs have a first-
Apprehensive of the present financial status of the state, MLA Japu Deru advocated
for the judicious use of the fund allocated / to be allocated and better co-
MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary for HPD Phurpa Tsering impressed on the need for
transparency and accountability by all. On the vexed issue of non-
Deputy Speaker cum MLA of 5-
Summing up his participation in the meeting, Thongdok called for collective effort,
enhanced co-
Earlier, all the four MLAs voiced in unison that certain guidelines are being flaunted at the state / Department level and that the centralization of the supply works especially in the department of education should be discontinued henceforth. Also, the schemes to be included in the AOPs of the district should have the bearings / acknowledgement of all the local legislators.
All the four MLAs of the district assured to contribute 10 lacs each every year from their MLALAD fund for procurement of medicines and other life saving drugs for the district.
Accusation of an unfortunate instance of mismanagement and misappropriation by a
certain department, strange but not so surprising fact like a contingent driver operating
the X-
DC AK Singh in his presentation highlighted the issues being faced by the District
administration and its allied offices and suggested that such co-
Addressing the issue of extortion threats, he said that the issues could be drastically brought down if the administration and the police are taken into confidence and that if the officers / departments honestly carry out their works. DIPRO
Engineers urged to shoulder responsibility
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: Arunachal Pradesh Engineering Service Association (APESA) President S Sumnyan has appealed to the engineers of the state including members of Arunachal Pradesh Junior Engineers Welfare Association to come together and tighten belts work with renewed zeal and determination to assist the state government to ensure speedy and smooth progress of the state. “Punctuality, hard work, sincerity and better service should be the motto of our renewed slogan. It is our paramount duty to ensure that projects are planned, conceived and implemented based on sound engineering, economy and without compromising quality and time schedule, he said APESA President Sumnyan while addressing the engineers of the state in an executive body meeting of the Association Friday last.
The APESA president stressed upon the need to develop proper work culture imbibing honesty, dedication, efficient implementation of projects without compromising quality of work, time and cost overrun etc.
“Bad quality and pilferages are matter of great concern which require sensitization and a fresh jerk of awakening, he opined. “We as engineers can become second to none while comparing ourselves with those of other states. Many of them are brilliant, who I suppose work with utmost sincerity and dedication. They truly contribute or have contributed to state's advancement and progress,” he said.
“However, if reports are to be believed, some are busy in politicking and resorting to activities unbecoming to the engineering profession. The flags of works departments have somehow been kept flying by these brilliant engineers who have been working sincerely but silently,” he said.
Engineers have been and shall always be the prominent players in creating major assets and the required infrastructure of the state. It's time that we review our performances and introspect to push a fresh focus on our development indices of the state, he said.
The density of road in our state is meager 24 km per 100 sqkm as against 84 km/ 100 sqkm of National average, he informed.
“Let us be clear that nobody is going to provide us with readymade infrastructures, unless the engineers of the state walk extra miles to get them created. The leaders will come and go. But the engineers of all works departments are the backbone for creating durable infrastructure in our state.”
“Therefore we should not shy away from our responsibilities and no half-
The meeting discussed various issues relating to the association, like impending
court cases, celebration of Engineers’ Day, creation of engineering wings in non-
This meeting was attended by office bearers and members of the Association, including Vice President Tadar Mangku, General Secretary Bini Pelen.
‘Maintain transparency in tendering process, project implementation’
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: Public leader Vijay Sonam in a letter to Director (RD) has urged him to ensure implementation of the four projects under Special Plans Allocation (SPA) in Bamang Constituency in letter and spirit as per the guidelines issued by the Planning Department.
He also hoped that the entire tendering process for awarding the works will be carried out in a transparent and impartial manner to enable free and fair participation of all interested parties.
“Maintaining of transparency will not only help in proper implementation of the projects but will also prevent any type of future complicacy.
Sonam informed that fund has been allocated under SPA for construction of construction school building with approach road at Tasam Meorang School, construction of Multipurpose Building at Circle headquarters at Khenewa, construction of foot suspension bridge at Sama river with porter track and log bridges from Jomoh to Wallong Sollung via Kawarang village and construction of foot suspension bridge over Pachuk river in between Tayung and Lengdi Liyang village.
Small tea growers decry SC directive
Prafulla Kaman
RUKSIN, Aug 19: Decrying Supreme Court (SC) order that directs tea cultivators to obtain forest clearance from Union Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) against their land used for growing tea and produce it while applying for registration of their gardens, the tea growers of the state have urged the Arunachal Pradesh Government to take up the matter with the concern authority for revocation of the said order. According to the marginal and small tea growers, this Supreme Court order has deprived them from availing the benefits provided under Tea Board since majority of them do not have proper land documents to apply for registration of their tea gardens.
As per guideline framed by Tea Board, tea growers will have to produce proper land
document, soil susceptibility certificate with No Objection Certificate (NOC) from
their respective district administration for registration of their gardens. But,
a legal hurdle has been appeared in the registration procedure after the Supreme
Court imposed restriction on ‘No Objection Certificate’ on lands used for tea plantation.
The Apex Court's verdict appeared after hearing of the writ petition (C) N0-
The executive director of Tea Board, Guwahati Zonal Office, in its directive noted that it would issue registration to the tea growers only after they are given clearance by MoEF ensuring that the proposed area of cultivation does not violate Forest Conservation Act, 1980 or Supreme Court order, 1996. It is clear from the directive that production of forest clearance from Union Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) has become mandatory and mere production of NOC issued by the state government will not be sufficient to get registered their tea gardens.
The state government has not taken any initiative to ease their sufferings, despite the growers’ union’s repeated move to mitigate their problems, the tea growers rued. According to them, the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the Supreme Court ruling are creating hurdles in promotion of small tea garden in Arunachal Pradesh,
“The SC order was issued in view of the large scale deforestation that was taking
place in Tirap and Changlang in the name of tea cultivation during 1996-
Yonggam, who is a native of Oyan village under Ruksin Sub-
Hopefully, more than 100 farmers in East Siang district have developed small tea gardens and most of them have begun to produce green tea leaves.
Centre convenes NE CMs' meet to discuss development projects
New Delhi, Aug 19: The Centre has convened a meeting of Chief Ministers of all northeastern
states on August 21-
The meeting has been called as part of the Narendra Modi government's initiative to accelerate various ongoing development projects in the northeast and explore possible fresh initiatives there.
Apart from the Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim, representatives from Ministries like Home, Defence, Finance, Agriculture, Environment, Industries and North Eastern Council will take part in the meeting.
Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Gen (retd) V K Singh, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju will be present. Both Sonowal and Rijiju belong to the northeast, officials sources said.
A number of projects are in various stages of implementation. The reasons for delay
in their completion include shortcomings in detailed projects reports, late techno-
"All these issues will be reviewed and appropriate action will be taken for the speedy completion of all ongoing projects," the sources said.
The meeting is expected to take stock of the monitoring mechanism under which reviews and field inspections are carried out for expeditious implementation of development projects in the region.
Under the new government, the projects are now being monitored on a regular basis with respect to their physical and financial achievements through progress reports which are submitted by the state governments and other implementing agencies. PTI
Service to the public is my prime goal: Moyong
PASIGHAT, Aug 19: “Service to the public and development of society is my prime goal”
said 38-
He called for concerted efforts by the police, administration, civil society and
the traders to make the township crime-
The meeting was convened by him to gather information related to safety and security
of the traders in particular and developments of the area. He said the people of
Pasighat belonging to all communities have been showing the highest degree of responsibility
for protecting and maintaining age old tradition of communal harmony and brotherhood.
He made a fervent appeal to the people of Pasighat not to twist any unfortunate incident
through their claims and counter-
With the active cooperation and support of the citizens we could defeat such elements. He expressed hope the local administration would initiate appropriate mechanism in this regard.
While sharing his views on electricity and reconstruction of township road network, the MLA informed that the issues had been raised by him in the assembly and necessary funds have been given by the government. For effective implementation and bring practical benefits, the government functionaries have to work with missionary zeal & vigor. They should create a people friendly atmosphere and function with full transparency so that people develop confidence and appreciate them. The officers should always be ready to help the public so that their grievances are readdressed in time. He also wanted more of such interactions with PMA which would bring more understanding of the problems and work out for solutions.
Earlier, Onyok Tamuk and Bhimlal Srivastava, President and Secretary of PMA respectively brought to notice how they are facing problems due to unwanted donations in the name of welfare lotteries, Tambolas etc. The duo appealed the MLA to take immediate step to mitigate water crisis in the market area. Among prominent leaders, Obit, Tamuk, David Mibang, Mongol Yomso and T Taggu were present and spoke on the occasion. DIPRO
Co-
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: The foundation stone of the Cooperative Shopping Complex for Rupa
LAMPS Ltd, Rupa was laid down by Assembly Deputy Speaker T N Thongdok yesterday in
presence of AK Singh, DC, West Kameng district, D K Thongdok, Ex-
Speaking on the occasion T N Thongdok suggested for providing all amenities like proper drinking water, sanitary and enough parking space at the Complex. Stressing the need of maintaining the building properly and keep it neat and clean, he expressed his happiness over the initiatives by the management of the Lamp for setting up of a Fruit Processing unit few months back and now a marketing outlet which will immensely benefit the community of the area.
DC A K Singh suggested that the Shopping Complex should meet the expectations of the people. He also advised that the Rajendra Ashram, Rupa which was established in the year 1964 and produced a large number of eminent citizens from the area, must be revived and protected. He suggested to strengthen the management of the Ashram.
T Thongdok, MD, Apex Bank lauded the Rupa Village Council for providing suitable land to the Rupa Lamps and Department of Cooperation for the financial support. He also suggested the management to give preference to the SHGs and members of Farmers Club to sell their produce in the complex.
Earlier R.D. Wangja, Chairman of Rupa Lamps also highlighted the performance and achievements of the Society and urged all the public to cooperate with the initiatives to the Lamps for the greater interest of the community.
Union seeks Rijiju’s intervention for safety of people along Assam-
ITANAGAR, Aug 19: Assam Forest Officials have reportedly entered into the territory of Arunachal Pradesh at Dollungmukh yesterday and destroyed paddy fields claiming that the area falls under Assam, informed All Arunachal Pradesh Border Students’ Union (AAPBSU) who along with All Lower Subansiri Border Students’ Union (ALBSU), visited the affected area to take stock of the situation.
According to the villagers, the union said, Assam forest officials frequently threaten the villagers of dire consequences, if they do not vacate the place. Even, they forcefully take away their domestic animals, the villagers told to the visiting team during interaction.
While appealing to the people of Assam to respect the age-
Expressing deep concern over repeated violation of status quo along inter-
Weather in Siang region improving as rain stops pouring
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Aug 19: Weather situation in Siang region is improving gradually as rain has stopped pouring today.
The water levels of rivers and streams are slowly receding giving respite to the people who were still apprehensive of a devastating flood.
The departments have engaged men and machinery in renovation/repairing of the breached
road portions in different parts of the district. Communication along Mebo-
Incessant rain over the past few days in the region has not only created problem to office goers and daily wage earners but also affected food and vegetable supply in the local markets.
Rains also dampened the spirit of I-
Heavy downpour in the upper reaches caused rise in water level of Siang and Brhamaputra and submerged paddy fields and rural roads in Dhemaji district of Assam.
Overflowing water of mighty Siang and Brahmaputra entered in rural areas of Sissiborgaon circle by breaching the Rekhachapori dyke and inundated more than 100 villages in the circle. More than 20,000 people of Dhemaji district have been affected in the flood.
Forest a hallmark of our cultural identity
Jimsi Tassar
`World War III is the war against the Environment. The bad news is, the humans are winning’, states Andy Kerr of the Oregon Natural Resources Council. Human victory means melting of glaciers, dying of coral reefs, overpopulation, loss of biological diversity and decreased productivity. Is this an inevitable invasion and what are the dimensions of Environmental Injustices? Have humans evolved as the most threatening of all the species to the Planet Earth, fastidiously depleting the resources and exploiting the nature for its own existence? Globally, with the agglomeration of the human population as organized institution like Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and various other bodies, the emphasis is being made on the fact that environmental degradation has cross border implication, and we are one community when it comes to protecting the third planet from the sun that we have made our home. The resonance of such intent is found in international conferences and protocols like the Kyoto, Rio 20, Beijing, and Copenhagen to name few.
And India has been a party to, or is a signatory to such covenants and thus, having ratified them, has made efforts to follow the guidelines as an obligation. The countries in both the Southern and Northern hemisphere have felt the need to be responsible. It is a welcome stance, but complicated than it sounds because the race for the status of Superpower Nation and for energy (petroleum, nuclear, thermal, and hydro) to feed the Transnational Corporation, Multinational Companies that gives a return of trillions of dollars or hard currency per annum to the economy of a Developed Nation is a fact that cannot be easily sidelined.
UNU Report on Sustainable development, Johannesburg, 2002-
Arunachal Pradesh with about 65% of tribal population has moved rapidly from a hunting gatherer and farming to a market economy, breaking down the traditional barter system of exchange and community ownership of income resources, creating a creamy layer in the otherwise economically egalitarian tribal society with no concept of “poverty”, as each family traditionally has certain landholding as well as access to natural resources to provide for its own. Thus, with the Market economy, there is a striking introduction of vertical demarcation or social class into an already horizontally demarcated tribal society.
Globally, it is estimated that about 2.4 billion people cook with wood which is the
only source of energy for most of the ‘poor’ people, 764 million of these people
boil the water with wood which is the only method of drinking clean sterilized water
and Collection of edible non-
The World Bank (2002) estimated that 1.6 billion rural people depend upon Forest. Chao defines forest people as “people who traditionally live in forests and depend on them primarily and directly for their livelihoods”. The figure is probably a vast underestimate due to a lack of data for China and India.
Forest has been in the concurrent List giving constitutional rights to both the Center and the State legislation to enact laws on forest governance with the consent of the President arising on grounds of repugnancy. The forest governance laws still happen to carry the Colonial British Legacy alienating the Human population and Forest dwellers from its habitat.
Thus, the most recent Forest Rights Act, 2006 deliberately introduced the rights of the Forest dwellers empowering the Gram Sabha (3rd tier of the Panchayati Raj system) to have a role in forest governance and forest maintenance. However, as per the latest reports, only 5 states of the Indian Union enacted the Forest Rights Act in their respective legislative Assembly, and it was rejected in the states like Nagaland ( 371 A) and the Schedule VI states on the grounds of already prevailing Community ownership of Land and Forest, and Customary community practices, and the presence of Tribal Advisory Councils. In Arunachal Pradesh, with the prevalence of Panchayati Raj System and application of PESA , FRA has been taken note by the Social Welfare Department without any action on grounds of already existing Community ownership of Forest and Land.
Arunachal Pradesh Forest Bill 2014: In the leadership of the present Chief Minister, the Arunachal Pradesh forest bill has been tabled for deliberation and the first preliminary consultation was held on the 19th and 20th June in the PCCF headquarters. It was observed by the Department (Forest officers), the Chief Secretary and various representatives of the civil society, as well as few expert senior supreme court lawyer and academicians (Law), to introduce a separate chapter on Community Rights of the Forest in the Bill and the issue of ownership of the Forest and forest land was the bone of contention as well as confusion. The Chief Secretary very eloquently expressed that the guiding light of the Act should be principles of equity and social Inclusion. Besides, the fact of Climate Change and global warming cannot be ignored when we speak of forest of Arunachal Pradesh granting ecological service to the entire planet.
The concerned Bill has no mention of various ‘Green Bonus’, which is one of the most important development of the various International dialogue on climate change and global warming. In a very layman language, there has been the introduction of mechanism like RED + that works on Carbon Trading principles, whereby the developed nation acknowledges the ecological services of the forest of various developing nation, in mitigating climate change, and thus, the stakeholders and communities that has for time immemorial protected these forests needs to be compensated for not indulging in aggressive concretization and has been using traditional methods of sustainable management of forest and the environment.
Now, as per Forest Survey of India Report, Arunachal Pradesh has about 65% of its area covered in forest, thus providing ecological service that is valued to an amount at the tune of billions of dollar, which is yet to be substantiated.
Certain Rules and Acts having a bearing on the forest legislation in Arunachal Pradesh:
Arunachal Pradesh Wood Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Rules, 2000,
Arunachal Pradesh (Control of Felling and Removal of Trees from Non-
Unclassified State Forest:
As per the records, the forest area of the Arunachal is approximately taken as 51540 sq.km and since 19726.53 sq. km is notified and classified as Reserve, Village Forest, Anchal Forest Reserve, Village Forest Reserve, Wild Life Sanctuary and National Park and the balance 31813.47 sq. km is treated as USF in approximation without demarcation. USF area is not fixed, but is periodically revised with increasing accuracy of mapping and survey exercises. This periodic revision has not been done in Arunachal Pradesh and therefore, the estimated forest cover of the State is 67410 sq.km (FSI 2011) and the actual USF area should be more (+15870 sq km.)
In a layman’s language, USF according to the forest department, is the land at the disposal of the Govt, not included in any of the notified forests, technically waiting to be classified/ settled, and on other hand, in Arunachal Pradesh, it is a large portion of Land/ forest cover under claims of customary rights and ownership by individuals, families, clans and tribes (and also Jhuming rights under The Balipara / Tirap/ Sadiya Frontier Tract Jhum Land Regulation, 1947).
As Forest Rights Act, 2006 empowers Gram Sabha for forest governance, it has become a matter of concern, because as per the official reports, large forest area is still being used for jhum cultivation, which leads to forest burning and becomes a concern for the conservationist approach of the Forest Department. Besides, it has been found that huge amount of wildlife has been hunted down and it includes birds and animals that find its way to the illegal market. Also, trees are being cut for timber and other forest products which help few houses to earn a livelihood. Besides, many families are still sustaining on the traditional practice of hunting and gathering and have no other source of income. There has been no effort to bring such families under regular employment highlighting the failure of National Rural Employment Generation Act, or Mahatma Gandhi rural Employment generation Act. Besides the Food Security Act has not secured some families because in practise, there is no distribution of sugar, wheat and pulses in many areas, and most times, rice is sold at rates more than the stipulated rates or there is not enough for distribution. Thus, the supposed support from the government does not reach many households, rendering them to still depend on the Forest for livelihood or they become a pawn in the exploitative hands of few elites who deal in illegal trading of wildlife and plant species. It could be important to note that community ownership and individual ownership of Forest resources could be rather destructive as observed in the coal mining of the community owned Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.
The Supreme Court directs “to ensure protection of the forest wealth, the forest officers in the North Eastern States may be empowered with authority to investigate, prosecute and confiscate on the lines of the powers conferred on the forest officers in many other States in the country” Besides, accurate mapping of forests has to be done as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India dated 12.12.96 in T.N. Godavarman Tirumalpad vs UOI and Order dated 6.7.2011 in La Farge Umiam Mining Pvt. Ltd case. The conservation of forest and protection of wildlife finds resonance in the apex court of India, and also the world over due to various global warming and climate change dialogue, but can we ignore the communities and the people who are left with no option but to still depend on the forest and forest products for their daily food? Can we go ahead and imprison or penalize a man for feeding his children from the forest? What are the alternatives to Jhum cultivation, timber felling, hunting and gathering?A traditional hearth is run by wood and twigs and bamboos which itself causes huge amount of carbon emission. As per reports, women and children die of indoor Air Pollution ( IAP) leading to acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has been reported that in an initiative of a certain state government of a mountain state, free LPG cylinder and stoves in the villages were supplied to forest dwellers in sensitive ecosystem, and it automatically took care of the Forest conservation as well as the health of the village families.
CAMPA : As per the reports of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning
Authority (CAMPA), about 1.10lakh hectares of area is under Jhum cultivation and
almost 54, 000 families are dependent on it for their livelihood. Jhum cultivation
has been found to be destructive method of shifting cultivation with forest fire
causing loss of forest cover as per their reports. There is an effort to introduce
a ‘Agro-
Global warming, Climate Change and Environment:
Global warming is the heating up of the earth’s atmosphere beyond its natural balance
which causes change in the climate endangering the survival of the entire species
of the Planet earth.What causes the heating up of earth? The earth needs heat from
the sun for the entire being to survive and thrive, and therefore, certain amount
of heat is always retained within the atmosphere and a huge amount is bounced back
out of the atmosphere, naturally creating a green house effect of perfect order.
The trees perform carbon capture sequestration and converts carbon dioxide (c02)
into oxygen, without which we cannot survive. Now, in the name of Human Civilization,
toxic waste in the form of carbon dioxide (co2) and other substances that we call
pollutants are produced. The IPCC reported that there was a 95 percent probability
that human influence is the dominant cause of the observed global warming since the
mid-
Controversies on climate change:
There are sceptics and few scientists who disagree with the climate change phenomenon. Yet, there are many scientists who meticulously documented and studied the atmosphere and asserted that Climate change is a fact and not a theory and there are significant evidences to prove it. Also, many a times we take environment for granted and make choices which are convenient or entails profit or huge amount of money. Roger Revelle is the first scientist to have measured the Co2 level in the Atmosphere in the year 1958. He studied the increase of co2 in all major developed human civilization and linked it to increase in the temperature, and predicted further increase in future generation causing drastic climate change.
The scientists have also studied the ice fields of Antartica and traced the linkage of Co2 concentration on the ice and the temperature on the earth’s atmosphere of the last 65, 00,000 years by studying the isotope of the oxygen trapped in the ice and stated that the co2 particles never crossed 350 parts per million maintaining the natural balance, but today the co2 concentration has increased beyond the natural balance and it has been predicted to go beyond in the next 50 years of unrestricted fossil fuel burning.
The temperature in the last 14 years has drastically increased, with 2005 recorded as the hottest year, with India hitting 50 degree Celsius. The heating up of the ocean has caused devastating hurricanes and melting of the Land based ice in the continental ice shelf of the Antartic has caused increase in the water level of the ocean causing many low lying pacific islanders to migrate to New Zealand.
Thus, in the next 50 year, it has been predicted that there will be huge country size ice shelf melting and increasing the sea level causing huge number of low lying countries to submerge, including the low lying cities like Beijing and shanghai, Kolkata and Bangladesh causing millions of people to become landless and forcing them to become refugees due to Climate Change. In fact, the North East of India including Kolkata has witnessed large population of migrating refugees from Bangladesh over the last 40 years or more. Also, Arunachal has continuously witnessed such refugee population who were victims of environmental and natural disaster.
As per the studies, with the increase in the level of heat, there is rising level of habitation of the rodents and insects like fleas, Algae, Lice, ticks and mosquitoes breeding in areas of human habitation causing numerous diseases as heat and humid, creates a favourable breeding ground for viruses and bacteria causing diseases like avian flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Tuberculosis, Dengue fever, Malaria, and Japanese Encephalitis, which are life threatening and Pandemic in nature, causing death tolls.
Conclusion:
Arunachal Pradesh is a strategically placed, land locked territory on the planet Earth, with virgin forests – untouched and untraced forest cover; is a matter of pride, luck and joy, to be in the midst of nature in today’s concretized so called “modern” world. There is enough for everybody here, but not for one man’s greed. The preservation of our forests and the natural resources which are a major source of our cultural identity, and also the corresponding oral tradition and practices in relation to ownership and conservation of the forest and the wildlife including plants (medicinal included) and the birds seeks undivided attention. It should be alarming enough to realize that the Hornbill, which is the state bird, has almost gone extinct in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh along with various other wild species. Besides, there is much needed awareness to be made on conservation of environment and sustainable growth through mediums of educational program to both the younger and the older generation. Besides, with the growing population, waste management, ban or minimum use of plastic bags, and segregation of bio degradable and non degradable garbage and other related information needs to reach each household through awareness campaigns and various mediums, with proper public dustins installed to encourage cleanliness and discourage breeding ground for diseases and infection.
As observed, there are efforts being made in the Department of Forest, as well as
various governmental departments to preserve and protect the Environment (Forest
included). Besides, estimating the un avoidable role of forest in people’s life,
and especially about 60 million indigenous and tribal population directly involved
with forest, “It is time for forestry to shift perspective from trees to people,”
says FAO’s and it finds resonance in UN declaration on the Indigenous people’s Customary
rights on natural resources, and also in the spirit of the Constitution in the form
of natural justice and Rghts beside Article 48 A as directives to the State, and
51 A (g) directs each individual and the communities to take it up as a fundamental
duty: revisit the Traditional Forest Related Knowledge benefitting the local communities,
as well as look into sustainable traditional forest management, adapting certain
scientific pro-
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HODs of Yupia have gone missing
Dear Editor,
I would like to share an important issue which is making life difficult for the people of Papum Pare district. It is a well known fact that Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Speaker Nabam Rebia, the two prominent political figures of state represents Papum Pare district. However with great sadness I would like to state that despite having two powerful representatives, the people of district is suffering.
Citizens are facing multiple problems due to perpetual absence of government officials.
In this rainy season coupled with pathetic road condition, we reach district headquarter
Yupia with great difficulties. To our astonishment we never find government officers,
especially head of the department (HODs) in their offices. It seems like HODs of
Yupia have gone missing. Especially local tribal officers are very irregular. Most
of the time they don’t come to the office. Once in a blue-
Whenever we visit any office, peon tells us that sir is not in office. Adding to our woes, officers behave very rudely with the villagers. They only seem to care for rich people and powerful politicians. Such kind of injustice is happening in the home district of state’s Chief Minister. I would like to appeal CM, Speaker and DC Papum Pare to look into this matter. Please take strong action against the officers in particularly HODs for remaining absent and coming late to the office. There is popular saying, “Charity begins at home.” So, I appeal Chief Minister to start charity from his home district and ensure that poor people of Papum Pare is not deprived.
Yours,
T Tahoo,
Itanagar
Make way for the traffic
Dear Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to request the competent
authority and agencies to remove the large sized iron frames and cranes that are
dumped near RKM hospital road sides, Itanagar and Barapani market, near Maxmart shopping
complex Naharlagun, which have no reasons to be at these highly busy locations of
the twin capital of ours. It seems that these materials are meant for construction
of over-
One such structure is built at the Heema hospital point, Itanagar near Bank Tinali. But I find that the numbers of people using it are very negligible. It may be because; it is out of place or may be the way it has been constructed is not worth using for the common men.
These materials are causing additional problems to the capital dwellers who are already faced with multiple traffic related difficulties, as these cranes and frames occupy large open spaces out of these busy areas meaninglessly and purposelessly, if I m not wrong.
“We should not sow thorns, if we can’t sow seeds of roses” is an old saying which we often hear from the ‘wise’.
Traffic management on the roads of Itanagar-
I remember, one evening, it took us one and a half hour to reach ESS sector from RKM hospital gate due to traffic jam.
Hence, in the light of the above let me again take the opportunity to request the concerned authority or persons to remove the materials in the interest of the public or to complete the work at the earliest. Because it’s like “neither going nor allowing anybody to go” as it creates parking problems for the vehicles.
Yours,
Nido Sakter
Itanagar
With gratitude
Dear Editor,
The Adi Bane Kebang, Papum Pare District Unit extends our heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals who were constantly involved in the search operation of Geten Tali, a seven year old boy who drowned at Ganga/ Senki River Industry colony in Chandranagar on August 14 last.
The recovery of the dead body of Late Tali from Assam after three days of search operation through river bank were possible only because of mass participation of all communities of capital complex.
We hope such cooperation and help to needy section of the society will continue in our state.
Yours,
Sekkong Pertin
General Secretary
ABK, Papum Pare Unit
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Visit should bear fruit
Road communication between Nirjuli and Banderdewa has once again been snapped following washing away of portion of road at Karsingsa block point. Every year this stretch of road gets washed away. Our engineers have not been able to find lasting solution to this problem till now. As usual the team of PWD led by minister Gojen Gadi accompanied by Highway (Western Zone) Chief Engineer Hage Appa yesteday inspected the washed out portion and promised that road will be opened for light vehicle within next few days.
The minister also inspected worsening road condition from Bage Tinali to Gumto gate. It seems minister was assured by the accompanying engineers that they will undertake minor repairing works from today onwards and major repairing works after monsoon is over. Gadi also inspected the deplorable Dera Natung Government College road and instructed the engineers concerned to complete the work within no time. The minister was given assurance that the work will start soon. In the last few months, minister Gadi had carried out inspection of capital road twice. He seems to be honestly concern about pathetic road condition of capital. But he should ensure that such visit bears fruit and does not remain as publicity exercise. The denizens of capital are suffering due to horrible condition of national highway as well as arterial road.