TAWANG, 16 Dec: A multi-stakeholder consultation meeting on the Green India Mission (GIM) was held at the deputy commissioner’s office here on Friday.
Emphasising on facilitating dialogue between all the stakeholders and exploring initiatives for protecting the environment, Tawang DC Kesang Ngurup Damo called for carrying out “mass plantation drives under the GIM in the region.”
Lamenting the depletion of forest cover, the DC advocated proper coordination between the stakeholders and the environment & forest department in implementing the mission.
Dwelling on conservation of the environment, he advocated “appropriate selection of sites for plantation drives and selection of saplings based on the climatic condition of the area.”
“Great care must be taken while executing various schemes and projects, so that minimal harm is caused to the flora and fauna of the area. We must respect nature and ensure that we pass on a cleaner and greener Tawang to our future generation,” the DC said.
ZPC Leki Gombu highlighted “the public misconception of losing ownership of their land (earmarked for plantation),” and called for “a better mechanism, so as to assure the villagers about the policies of the GIM.”
He urged the environment & forest department to “sensitise the people to various aspects of the GIM and give clear cut instruction with respect to all details of projects.” He further suggested that the stakeholders and the department sign an MoU, “mentioning all the terms and conditions/policies under the GIM for successful implementation at the ground level.”
Tawang Divisional Forest Officer Sange Tsering informed that, under the GIM, “the ownership of land (for plantation) will not change,” and sought “proper cooperation from the village forest management committees (VLMC) for timely selection of area for plantation drive in their areas under the GIM.”
Tawang Range Forest Officer Tage Haniya made a presentation on the implementation of the GIM in Tawang by the social forestry division.
Various bottlenecks and shortcomings vis-à-vis the implementation of the project were also discussed.
GBs, panchayat members, public leaders and representatives of VFMCs of Rho-Jangda, Seru and Shartsoneng attended the meeting, and they agreed to ensure “timely implementation of the activities under the mission.” (DIPRO)
