Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 1087/17

WILDLIFE WEEK OBSERVED AT TURA

Wildlife Week was observed at St. Xavier’s Secondary School, Tura yesterday organised by East and West Garo Hills Wildlife Division, Tura. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and HoFF, Government of Meghalaya, Shri C P Marak was the Chief Guest on the occasion. While addressing the gathering, C P Marak said that the Wildlife week is observed every year to remind us the role and responsibilities in protecting and preserving the wildlife and our environment. He further expressed his appreciation for the brilliant display in the form of drawing, painting, quiz and essay writing and also for the support and cooperation in protecting the rich fauna of the region. Reminding that all living things are interdependent in nature and biodiversity is an integral part of our life, he said that we cannot extricate ourselves from this cycle of life. Therefore, he urged everyone to inculcate compassion to all living creatures on earth and preserve the rich biodiversity without disturbing the natural habitat and ecosystem of the region. In her keynote address, Divisional Forest Officer, Smti N R D Marak mentioned that Wildlife Week is celebrated all over the country in the month of October every year with a view to preserve the fauna of India. It was first started in the year 1952 with an aim of saving the life of animals by taking some critical steps and involves the planning to save animal extinction. Smti V A Sangma from Integrated People for Tourism and Conservation (IPTAC) made a short presentation on the importance and preservation of wildlife and environment in the region. Earlier in the function, the Chief Guest along with other dignitaries distributed prizes for the winners of various competitions which was organised for school students on wildlife and environment related topics. Headmistress, St. Xavier’s School, Tura Sr. Maria, ACF, East & West Garo Hills Wildlife Division, Tura and Shri H G Momin were among others who spoke on the occasion while Smti M M Sangma, Forest Ranger, Northern Nokrek Range chaired the function. Others present at the function were Shri P R Marak, Conservator of Forest, Garo Hills Division, Shri S N Sangma, Director, Balpakram National Park Division, Baghmara, Shri R K Marak, DFO, Social Forestry, Tura, officials of Wildlife department, teachers and students of various schools of the town.

Press Release No. 1088/17

WEEK LONG BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO CELEBRATION CULMINATES

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao week, which started since 9th Oct last, organized by the District Task Force and the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh came to an end at the District Library Hall, Nongpoh in which Dr. D.D. Lapang, Local MLA and chief adviser to the government of Meghalaya was the Chief Guest while Smti. Kala Rama Chandran, IPS, Director, NEPA was the Guest of Honour. In his introductory speech Shri. C.P. Gotmare, DC, Ri Bhoi highlighted the programmes of the week long observance like pledge taking, signature campaign, tree plantation, handing of birth certificate, door to door campaign, sticker campaign, awareness campaign, poster, drawing & painting competitions, rallies, film show etc. He appreciated the active involvement of the ASHAs and aganwadi workers and said that through them the message would penetrate to every nook and corner of the district. Smti. Chandran in her speech as the guest of honour reminded the gathering of the days when sati and dowry system was prevalent in the country and where women had no place in the society, unlike the present day. It is the common experience that girls always outperformed the boys, particularly in studies but later on disappeared, due to some reasons and the other, she said and therefore urged the parents to show confidence and encourage their children irrespective of sex so that their children choose the own career and profession as girls are second to none and can stand on their own feet, she added.

Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Dr. Lapang congratulated the organizer of the programme which was observed not only in the district headquarter but different programmes were also held in every block and village level. He informed that the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched on 22/1/2015 by the government of India for welfare, protection, empowerment and education of the girl child and it is a social campaign to generate awareness and improve the wellbeing of girls, eradicate female foeticides, address the declining child sex ratio among girls and the scheme has been implemented in the district of the country where there is low child sex ratio, he added. With the advance of science & technology it has been made easier to learn the sex of the baby inside the mother’s womb during pregnancy and this has lead to abortion in many cases and it is one of the factors leading to low sex ratio among girls, he cited. The dowry system is another reason of low child sex ratio in India, and the government has taken every effort to stop the menace in this regard, he said. The programme is the right platform to create awareness among the citizens that girl child has an equal value and to provide her with good education, he said. He further informed that the government has amended a law in order that anyone involved in the practice of sex determination and abortion be punish. He appealed for the sincere effort and dedication of each and all to make a campaign a success and bring a change and to make a better place to live in. He also said that education is the right channel to stop poverty, illiteracy, disease and to reach the top and therefore called upon parents to send their children to school so that their dreams come true and the future of the country can be at par with the rest of the world.

Other highlights of the day were songs by the students, presentation of certificates to winners of poster, drawing & painting competitions in the block level for the students, best frontline worker AWW and ASHAs, girl achiever in the field of sports, education and the best school management committee etc. Other who spoke on the day were Dr. B. Pohchen, DM&HO and Smti. V. Gatphoh presided over the function.