Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 177/23

CHIEF MINISTER ATTENDS VALEDICTORY FUNCTION OF WILDLIFE WEEK 2023

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, said that the forest department is one of the key sectors that the government would be focussed on. We are moving with a very focused approach on forest and environment and we will work in a mission mode focusing on key important areas in ensuring that the department goes beyond its mandate to ensure that we are able to provide the necessary support, investment and guidance to the forest department, he said. He also added that Meghalaya is blessed with a unique and diversified wildlife which to a large extent have not been able to really move in a planned and scientific manner.

The Chief Minister also stressed on the importance of partnership between the government and the public. I am very happy that the theme for Wild Life Week 2023 is Partnerships for Wildlife Conservations and we need to understand the behaviour of wild animals which requires a strong partnership between humans and the community among the humans to coexist in a peacefully and sustainably, he said.

He also stressed on the need to have an elephant corridor between Assam, Meghalaya and further on to Bangladesh. I am very keen on working with the government of Assam and the international agencies to see how we can develop an elephant corridor which will permanently mark, protect and give way to these large peaceful animals, he said. He also added that survey on the population of elephants and other wildlife in the State is in the agenda of the department. It is only through survey and through data that we will be able to come up with effective policies that will help in co-existence between humans and animals, he informed.

We are working on creating a collaboration between wildlife, forest and eco-tourism in the and we will ensure that this policy is along sustainable policy that will create livelihood and alternative economic benefit for the community and protect our flora and fauna, he concluded.

Earlier the Chief Minister and the other dignitaries awarded the staff of wildlife for outstanding service and distributed prizes to the winners of various events and competitions that were held as a part of the Wild Life Week.