SEIJOSA, Jan 18: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has declared that Pakke Paga Festival (PPF) will henceforth be celebrated as a state festival, saying he will announce it in the coming budget session.
He also announced that Pakke-Kessang district would be created “within this year.”
Pema said this while taking part in the third edition of the PPF here in East Kameng district on Thursday.
“Organising such festivals would not only help conserve the rich biodiversity of the state but also spread awareness about conserving nature,” he said.
To professionally manage the festival, he assured to provide fund for a festival ground this year, and for infrastructure such as traditional huts.
He said the PPF, which is the only festival in Arunachal dedicated to conservation of nature, could attract tourists from the country and abroad in great numbers, if handled professionally.
The chief minister lauded the conservation zeal of the local communities and the forest department that gave birth to the festival. He also lauded the community ban on hunting activities.
In a boost to the effort to protect the hornbill, Pema announced to adopt and sponsor 10 hornbill nests.
Earlier, the CM gave away certificates and mementoes to the ‘most hardworking nest protectors’ who were selected from among the locals involved in monitoring hornbill nests. He also gave away a cheque of Rs 18,000 to the Mysore-based Nature Conservation Foundation for its nest adoption programme.
Expressing gratitude to the people for giving their mandate to local BJP candidate Biyuram Wahge in the last bye-poll, the CM announced to create Pakke-Kessang district within this year.
He promised to visit here again “to lay the foundation stone for the new district by December 2018.”
The chief minister appealed to the people to work as a team, rising above their political differences, in the greater interest of the constituency and the state.
For the development of the constituency, Pema announced to “release the first quarter soon” and assured to “follow up with MoS Home Kiren Rijiju for another two quarters.” (CMO)
