LEPORIANG, Feb 9: The state government on Friday launched the ‘Pare nadi safai abhiyan’ here in Papum Pare district.
It is an initiative of the government to clean all the major and minor rivers under the Namami Gange Project, an integrated conservation mission of the central government.
Launching the programme, state BJP president Tapir Gao appealed to the people to conserve all sources of water, along with the environment, for the survival of all living beings.
“We need to take a pledge to maintain the cleanliness of our rivers and tributaries as we cannot survive without clean water,” he said.
Expressing concern over wanton destruction of flora and fauna, Gao said “a time will come when we may not be able to live on earth, if we cannot stop destruction of flora and fauna.”
Namami Gange Project’s national convenor Arvind Menon said the central government aims to make the Ganga river and its major tributaries clean.
“This safai abhiyan is an initiative towards cleaning all the rivers of the state,” he said.
He advised the members of the safai project to spend at least two hours daily to make the programme a success.
Land Management Minister Nabam Rebia appealed to the Centre to provide green bonus to the state as it has been maintaining 82 per cent forest cover.
Expressing concern over illegal hunting of wild animals and destruction of forest resources, Rebia directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against those indulging in such acts.
He expressed fear that no birds would be seen in the future along the Itanagar-Sagalee-Pakke Kessang-Bhalukpong tourist circuit – which has been declared a bird watching site – due to illegal hunting.
“There is an urgent need for conservation of water resources in the catchment areas and development of tourist circuits in the state,” said Water Resources Minister Kamlung Mossang.
State BJP vice president Tame Phassang sought financial support from the Centre for the success of the project and the development of the state.
“The tribal people are ready to shoulder our responsibility in cleaning the rivers and helping the government in development initiatives, but the Centre needs to extend financial support in this regard,” he said.
Among others, former MLA Taba Hanya, state BJP vice president Dominic Tadar, and district BJP president Tana Hali Tara also spoke.
