SHILLONG:
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & HoFF Meghalaya RS Gill has lauded the efforts of the community in conserving forests saying that government effort would have been incomplete without their active participation.
Inaugurating two community halls for Reserve Forest — one at Raid Nongbri and the other at Pdah Kyndeng under the CAMPA Scheme of 2021-2022, on May 24, Gill lauded the government initiative and said, “The government’s effort would have been incomplete without the active participation of the community. Our State has 83 Forest Reserves which is the second highest in the country,” he added.
He further said, “The conservation of forests is an old practice in Meghalaya. With this reserve community hall, we can have a place to work for the cause of wildlife protection and improve the way we protect wild animals and forests. This community hall is a small token of appreciation for your contribution towards the conservation of forests and wild animals, despite the fact that most land in Meghlaya is not owned by the community.
After the inauguration ceremony of Pdah Kyndeng community hall, the officer also paid a visit to Krem Lymbit, a legendary cave of Raid Nonglyngdoh.
Others speaker also appreciated the community who had joined hands with the Forest department in conserving the forests.
PK Agrahari IFS said “Raid Nongbri has taken this step to protect forests long back, now, the hall can serve them well in their efforts. To preserve a Wildlife Sanctuary is tough but with Community Reserve, it will be easy for them and for the department to maintain the beauty of nature.”
Sachine Shankar Gavade IFS, DFO (Wildlife) offered support to the community. “Though this conservation, we can come up with eco-tourism too. If you need any help from us, we will always be there to help you. This will also serve as an example for neighboring villages to help them understand about forest conservation”.
On the same day at Pdah Kyndeh, the department introduced Mission Life, which was launched by the Prime Minister at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference.
During the introduction of the mission at Pdah Kyndeng, Leening SJ Wahlang RFO, Ri Bhoi said, “Mission Life is an initiative to help every person understand the importance of protecting mother earth through behavioral change solutions aimed at individuals, households and communities to drive climate-friendly behaviors in sectors, including but not limited to water, transport, food, electricity, waste management, sustainability, recycle and reuse. A simple thing that we can do for this mission is to use an HFL bulb in our houses instead of an ordinary bulb”.
Others who were present at the inauguration were SM Sahar, IFS PCCF (WL &BD), HC Choudhury, IFS CCF (Wildlife) RI, Sensi Lyngdoh, the Lyngdoh of Raid Nonglyngdoh, BS Syiem, the Syiem of Raid Nongbri along with the headmen of all the villages of Raid Nongbri and Raid Nong Lyngdoh.