January -
Centre for timely completion of projects under PM package
ITANAGAR, Jan 07: Dr. N.P. Singh, Advisor, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt.of India, today laid emphasis on the timely completion of the Projects sanctioned under the PM Package in the state.
While reviewing the progress of schemes under PM’s Package announced by the Prime Minister on 31st January, 2008 in the conference Hall of Urja Bhawan, Itanagar, Dr. N.P. Singh also instructed the officers to submit the detailed project wise status within 15 days to the ministry. Dr. D.R. Das, Director & Head of Regional office of MNRE, Guwahati also accompanied Singh and took part in the review meeting.
It may be mentioned here that Rs. 550.00 crores PM package was announced for electrification / illumination of remote villages through Solar Systems and MMHP.
The meeting was attended by Er. T. Bagra, Secretary (Power & NRE) along with Chief Engineers, Power (Eastern & Western Zone), Chief Engineer, Department of Hydro Power Development, Director APEDA and other senior Engineers of DHPD and APEDA.
Chief Engineer, DHPD in his Power Point Presentation gave a detailed report on the progress of the schemes.
Chief Engineer, Power (E/Z) gave a detailed view of the T&D linkages planned for evacuation of Power from the Hydro Projects that are being taken up in the PM Package for electrification of the villages.
Director, APEDA Er. M. Loya informed that 523 Villages have already been illuminated through Solar power and the 67 Micro Hydels Projects under the PM Package for electrification of the remote border villages are progressing as per schedule.
Er. Tumke Bagra, Secretary (Power & NRE) extended his valuable suggestions and views regarding the timely completion of the Projects and appreciated the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for their support and cooperation.
‘Tangible’ development in state lauded
ITANAGAR, Jan 7: Centre appreciated the state government for effective implementation of Border Village Illumination Programme (BVIP) (a part of PM’s Package) in Arunachal. This was communicated by Dr N P Singh, Advisor Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, (MNRE) Govt. of India who called on the state Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in his office today.
It may be mentioned here that the state government had proposed a package of Rs. 85 crores under Border Villages Illumination Programme to the central government for bringing up mini hydel projects of 50 KW to 2 MW in the border areas so as to illuminate the far flung inaccessible villages to which the PM on his historic visit to the state had announced the package.
Assuring judicious utilization of fund provided by the Centre, the Chief Minister apprised the visiting guest about maintenance of strict vigilance and monitoring of all central as well as state sponsored schemes. “A team of special officers have been constituted for monitoring the ongoing projects in the state and they are effectively on the job” Khandu revealed. For transparency all required information are being uploaded in the state website on regular basis, he further added.
Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi for having faith on him, Khandu said that he will see that no stone is left unturned.
Appreciating the chief minister for his committed effort for development, the visiting advisor expressed his sheer satisfaction over the work on Border Village Illumination Programme being executed in the state. He lauded the tangible development being carried out throughout the state and assured to pass on the message to the Centre.
State Power Secretary Tumke Bagra was present in the meeting. PRO to CM
Admn. moving ahead for clean environment
ITANAGAR, Jan 07: EAC AC Baruah along staff and with police personnel conducted surprise checking at Nirjuly market.
The team has seized huge quantity of polythene bag, and unauthorized selling of 7 cases of Beer and 21 quarter bottles of IMFL from a Pan shop.
Later, the seized items were destroyed.
The surprise checking will be continued in the successive days also, release added.
Meanwhile, the constituted committee to check the unauthorized shifting of shop and selling of liquor headed by its chairman, Capital Complex ADC Bokar Basar will conduct a survey from January 8 from Banderdewa to ascertain unauthorized shifting of business premises including liquor vendors.
ITANAGAR, Jan 7: Arunachal Pradesh which is striving hard to pace up with other front
ranking states has added a renewed feather in its cap as Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu
shifts to newly constructed official CM Bungalow at Niti-
A masterpiece of architecture, this building gives a broad smile to the visitors. The very entrance gate displays the famous Nehruvian Panchsheel which speaks on protection of tribal rights and their development on their own genius.
Lush green lawn, fountain in the midst of the garden multiply the beauty of this magnificent bungalow. PRO to CM .
IDEA reaches out to inferno victims
NAHARLAGUN, Jan 7: IDEA (Itanagar Diocesan Empowerment Association) distributed relief to the recent fire victims at Dukom Colony, Naharlagun today.
Essential items like kitchen utensils, blankets, and ration to over 60 victim families were distributed by IDEA with the support of Caritas India.
Expressing solidarity to everyone affected by the tragic accident, Fr. Ivan Vas SVD, the director of IDEA, said that the immediate objective of IDEA is to reduce the vulnerability of the most affected people by providing basic relief items.
While distributing the relief materials local MLA Techi Kaso appealed the affected families to take up safety measures in order to prevent fire mishap. He also appreciated the initiatives taken by IDEA to reach out to the fire victims. More NGOs need to follow their footsteps, he added.
Speaking on the occasion Kapa Koli, Director of Relief, Rehabilitation and Disaster
Preparedness re-
Recalling the noble works of IDEA during any kind of disasters, Tadar Nikam James, a social worker from Dukom Colony appreciated the generous help of the Association.
Higio Yam, Circle Officer Banderdewa, Tok Buttum, a Church leader from Naharlagun Parish, Fr. Joseph Vadayaparampil, the Financial Administrator of Itanagar Diocese and Sr. Merin Toms, the Dy. Director of IDEA were present on the occasion.
Maintain cleanliness
Dear Editor,
Maintaining cleanliness in the Capital Complex should not be a matter of past. Cleanliness should be maintained throughout the Capital Complex regularly for healthy and diseased free life of the citizens.
Beautiful “AAPSU MARG’ situated opposite the general hospital, Naharlagun needs attention of the authorities concerned. The beauty of the Marg has been vanishing day by day due to huge garbage, stagnant water near the marg.
Not only the Marg, many other locations of the Naharlagun township including sectors have been witnessing dirt and clogged water due to lack of proper maintenance of drainage system. General public should also cooperate with the administration and throw garbage to the allotted bin.
Therefore, I request the concerned authorities to clean the drain at least twice in a month and dispose garbage at least twice in a week. I also request the Apex students organization to take up the matter in order to preserve the sanctity of the Marg.
Yours,
Rimi Bam
D-
Naharlagun
ITANAGAR, Jan 07: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has assured a delegation of the Arunachal Pradesh Secretariat Employees Association (APSEA) to release the 15 months arrear payment to the state government employees in March next, claimed APSEA secretary general in a release.
The CM also further assured to release pending dearness allowance after completion
of the AOP in the next financial year 2010-
AALO, Jan 07: Si-
Gadam Ete, MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary Civil Aviation who was the Chief Guest was happy to see that various tribes performed traditional dances reminding of different festivals of Arunachal Pradesh. He said such spirit of unity and oneness should be maintained in future too. Ete also called upon all other tribes residing at Aalo to celebrates their festivals so as to expose their indigenous traditions and culture.
Er. T. Jeram, Secretary celebration committee said that Si the spiritual form of
Sichi, the earth and Donyi the Sun is the spiritual supreme power that control mankind
and various other unseen forces. Si-
Kangki Darang, ADC gave away prizes to the cultural troupes. DIPRO
Collective efforts needed to make Kurung Kumey a model district
ITANAGAR Jan. 7: Parliamentary Secretary, Food & Civil Supplies Lokam Tassar has
appealed the officers to work dedicatedly for well-
Addressing the heads of the department, panchayat leaders and MLAs of the Kurung Kumey district in a crucial meeting held at the Conference Hall of SIRD Itanagar on January 6, Tassar said, in additional to their routine official works, the officials should make the common people aware about the Govt initiatives for development.
He also urged upon the Deputy Commissioner Remo Kamki to streamline disbursement of staff salaries to make them available in their place of posting in the district.
Kamki, who presided over the meeting appealed to all four legislators to work jointly with mutual cooperation and coordination to make Kurung Kumey a model district of state. He assured to retain an amount of five to six lakh from relief fund for emergency purposes.
Nyapin MLA Bamang Felix said, all the MLAs of the district should set an example for others and work united as a team for common cause of the society.
He also asked the district administration to issue order prohibiting hunting of wild animals and jhum cultivation near catchment area to maintain ecosystem and minimize global warming.
Tali MLA Markio Tado called upon the Govt officers to inculcate sense of discipline
and honesty while discharging their duties and responsibilities, while Palin MLA
Takam Tagar said such meeting should be held half-
Pisa Gunia, Chairprson, Kurung Kumey Zilla Parishad, stressed on coordinated effort between the PR members and legislators and pleaded for empowerment of the PR members in regards to implementation of the developmental schemes. DIPRO
APWS appoints new office bearers
ITANAGAR, Jan 7: All Puroik Welfare Society (APWS), in a meeting held at Puroik Colony, Naharlagun yesterday has removed P David Washi from the post of president and Adang Yachu has been appointed as the new president of the society with immediate effect. Further, the society appointed Dilip Waru and Hano Paje as vice president and general secretary besides 14 others.
Student’s death mourned
ITANAGAR, Jan 7: All Pakke-
Techi, an NET qualified student, was a very hard-
Gayatri-
Dipak David, wellknown for his dynamic and scientific approach to religion as a whole and Christianity in particular, has, some time back, published an article in the media titled, “Why Christian should chant Gayatri Mantra”. In the article, Dipak emphasized upon the sound vibration which Gayatri chanting produces to the nucleic benefit of the practitioner. Gayatri mantra, therefore, should not be a monopoly for the Hindus only but may be universally practiced.
Saying this to a meeting of volunteers preparing for the ensuing five-
We should take into account the examples of a group of the members of the British Parliament who taking cue from Dr. Pranab Pandeya, Director, All World Gayatri Parivar have been practicing Gayatri Mantra as a tool for healing mental imbalance and embracing peace, said Rani and Dr. Hui Tag, President of the would be event.
The readiness for fine tuning with the forthcoming spiritual event first time in Arunachal Pradesh and virtually in the whole of North East, should be based on the findings of the Indian sages of the past who worked overtime in the ultimate laboratory, that is the human body, discovered the couplets and christened it Gayatri (Gaya = the chantable sound and tri = three stages of all pervading time).Gayatri therefore, should be put against the growing universal need for balanced human relation and peace and not into the narrow alley of sectarian, fanatic religious humbug, said Rani.
ITANAGAR, Jan 7: The executive body of All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) has been reconstituted in a meeting at Naharlagun yesterday with Takar Goi as chairman, Kipa Tuklo as president, Kamku Pordung as vice president, Dobing Sonam as secretary general.
Eco-
By Chukhu Mama
Jhum or shifting cultivation is an agricultural practice synonym with major part of north eastern states and much largely in Arunachal Pradesh. It’s a system of clearing the forest for cultivation of crops by an individual or family just for substantial living and often leads to lost of forest land. In the face of growing concern over global warming, Jhum cultivation can have serious impact on ecological nature of state. It can cause soil erosion to displacement of natural habitat, killing of large species of flora and fauna and the imbalance of ecology and contribute to the global warming.
Majority of people here depend on Jhum cultivation for survival and it has become important to find an alternative for it. We can look forward to ecotourism as an alternate, which has minimum level of negative impacts with proper planning and implementation. Ecotourism benefits the environment, local community as hosts and also the tourist visiting the place. At times the cultural diversities of the place too are being promoted.
What the ecotourism is all about?
Ecotourism is a new concept in tourism industry, which is the fastest growing circuit both in international and national level in the developing as well in third world countries. It is a purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of the environment taking care not to alter the integrality of the ecosystem. Besides providing economic opportunities, it makes conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people.
The International Ecotourism Society (ITES) defines -
In general tourists from all walks of life move out with different motives like for holidays, leisure, adventure and pilgrims. Ecotourism is no less a motive for tourist to seek the beauty of Mother Nature, to understand the culture of local community and of course which in turn benefits the local.
Unlike Jhum cultivation whose productions is only for the next substantial year by nature without commercialization of products, Ecotourism on the other hand tries to have minimum impact on soil, land usage, flora and fauna while contributing to the welfare of local and indigenous population. Basically it is to justify nature protection, linking environmental awareness by enabling economic gain.
Jhum Cultivation
V/S Ecotourism:-
Our elders and seniors often tell us that they used to worm clothes during 15th August
and go for march past. But today even in month of November hardly one feel pinch
of winter arriving. Days are not away when even in December and January we won’t
experience winter condition anymore. In this situation, it becomes more important
for us to have a close look on eco-
Jhuming is only an agricultural activity with sustainable economy, with no avenues for employment and income generations. But in the context of ecotourism it generates employment to the locals as guide, potter, investor, and stakeholder and generates revenues for long run as well. It also generates income through the sell of handicrafts, arts and souvenirs. Thus even the local artisans and craftsman gets their share of income.
Ecotourism also involves the subsets of tourism like cultural tourism and adventure tourism. Adventure activity like mountaineering, trekking, angling, river rafting too is the part of ecotourism. Yet when these activities happen and if it does not benefit the local community then no more such tour can be called as ecotourism. Ecotourism also involves less capital investments. Only the matter that requires is proper planning and implementation of plans.
In short the ecotourism contributes to environmental awareness, provides direct financial benefits for conservation, financial benefits and empowerment for local people, respects local culture, supports human rights and demographic movements, generates revenues through sell of arts, crafts and showcase of traditions and Creates employment opportunity.
Prospects of Ecotourism in Arunachal
Arunachal “the land of dawn lit mountain” and rising sun is a late starter in the filed of tourism and tourism has become the buzz word for the economy of Arunachal. Much of the revenue generation would be from the sale of tourism products and services in near future. The vast potentials of tourism in the state is yet to be tapped with proper infrastructural development, awareness among the local community, proper use of human as well as natural sources available and ofcourse with right aggressive marketing techniques. The land inhabited by about 26 major tribes and various numerous sub tribes has its own distinct cultural back ground. Therefore it has something to offer the tourist and not let them down on their visits to Arunachal.
Concepts of rural tourism and home stays are active besides the conventional hotels
and lodges. Wayside amenities and lodging facilities are being taken up both by the
centre as well state government in the various tourist circuits of Arunachal. Since
2000 there has been steady flow of both domestic and international tourist at the
rate of 30% to 35% and above. In the year 2008-
Arunachal on the context of tourism can be characterized by three intriguing features that battle for tourist’s attraction: tribals, the natural scenic beauty and the incredible range of wildlife which can never be seen in any part of the country or even world. Modern world with its hectic schedules and industrial life is moving towards the rural tribal area, with the intension to have a glimpse of the past. Interestingly the tribals of Arunachal are fast learning the tricks of conserving their age old traditions with the new phases of developments creating a new tribal cultural fusion.
Trekking cannot be ignored, while angling can be a good sport as well. No matter how far and isolated all of the places are worth for ecotourism. The districts like East Kameng, Kurung Kumey, Siangs, Subansiri and Dibang valley can never be ignored. They can be the best place on earth for trekking and shooting the nature and wild life with camera. No place in Arunachal goes in waste. If not one the other attractions like the rich tribal cultural heritages offers a range of options for tourism.
Also there is a need for strict vigilance by forest department to stop hunting activities in Arunachal Pradesh. In whole of India only the West Bengal Police alone has power to investigate into the killing of wildlife. Such power should also be bestowed into the police of Arunachal, so as to protect the wildlife. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, Environmental Protection Act 1986 is only a mockery in Arunachal. There should be strict law enforcing the protection of environment and wildlife. As the days are not far when to see a deer I have to see a photograph borrowed in advance of 30 days from a distance friend.
Now it is to be seen what the Tourism policy makers would bring in for the tourists coming to Arunachal. Will there be another round of Tourism Policy as an eye wash like of 2003? What would be the role of Department of Tourism in promoting ecotourism? What would be the role of stakeholders, NGO’s, student bodies, Forest Department and conscious citizens to make Arunachal a all time destination for tourists?
(Writer is a guest lecturer in Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnique and RGU)
Overloaded vehicles restricted
SEPPA: In an effort to prevent any unwanted accidents and save the bridged as well, the East Kameng district administration in an order has restricted the plying of overloaded vehicles through the Bana and the Hari bridges in the district.
Pointing out that the life span of both the bridges has already been over, the order said, “No vehicles carrying goods/loads more than 10 tons gross weight shall be allowed to cross the brides”. The drivers/owners of the vehicles also asked to obtain certificate from the weighing bridge authority regarding gross weight of the vehicle, and produce it before the Police Check gate Bhalukpong/Seppa, it said. DIPRO
Safe driving awareness programme
ITANAGAR: State Traffic and Road Safety Cell, PHQ, Itanagar is organizing one day awareness campaign on safe driving on January 10 at Vivekananda Hall, RK Mission Hospital, Itanagar for Taxi, Tempo, Trekker, Tata Mobile, Truck, Tata Sumo and Auto Rickshaw drivers plying in the twin capital complex.
Prayer center inaugurated
ITANAGAR: A Prayer Center at Pakke-
The prayer center has been established with an aim to extend prayer support to destitute, depressed, crippled and mentally disorder people, said a release issued by Rev. Deepok Nabam.
The center is one of the four prayers centres established by the DNB since its inception four years back.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Rev. Deepok Nabam and attended by Govt. officials,
public leaders, senior citizens, church leaders and believers from Roing, Bizari,
Dambuk, Pasighat, Itanagar, Naharlagun, Sagalee, Leporiang, Hoju-
Foundation day
ITANAGAR: Totpu Panchayat Youth Welfare Society is celebrating its IVth foundation day cum joint sports meet of Parang, Seema and Totpu at Totpu village on January 21.
Minister, PWD and UD Nabam Tuki and ZPM AK Techi have consented to attend the inaugural day as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour on the occasion.
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