Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 221/17

MAWTONGTIN WATER PLUS PROJECT INAUGURATED

The Mawtongtin Water Plus Project at Jakrem, South West Khasi Hills District was inaugurated by Smti R. Lyngdoh, Deputy Commissioner & Chairman Basin Development Unit (BDU), South West Khasi Hills District on 30th March, 2017. It may be mentioned that the programme was organized by the office of the Divisional Soil & Water Conservation, Mawkyrwat Division in collaboration with Basin Development Unit, South West Khasi Hills District. Speaking as the Chief Guest, Smti Lyngdoh lauded the department for their efforts in making this convergence project a success, the first of its kind in the history of Meghalaya, where about 40 nos of multiple water user house-holds will benefit from it. She also reminded the Water User Association thereby inspiring them to continue their good work in upgrading this project. She called upon for support, cooperation and contribution from the people in whatever ways they could towards development of this area. R. R. B. R. Thabah, Director (NRM), Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, Shillong said that this is the red letter day in the history of South West Khasi Hills District. He also informed that the Mawtongtin Multiple Water Users Model serves as a corner stone for the concept of Multiple Reservoirs under South West Khasi Hills, a convergence project under one umbrella, and the first of its kind in the state of Meghalaya where a number of factors come into play towards making the project a success. Shri O. T. Lyngwa, Divisional Soil & Water Conservation Officer, Mawkyrwat Division, South West Khasi Hills District gave a short introductory on the project. Smti D. Kharshiing, EAC & Nodal Officer, B.D.U, Mawkyrwat, Smti B. Syiem, Divisional Soil &Water Conservation Officer, Nongstoin, Shri H. S. Diengdoh, ADC cum Vice Chairman, Basin Development Unit, SWKHD, Mawkyrwat, Shri P. Wahlang, Myntri Shnong Jakrem and Shri H. Mylliemngap, Chairman, Mawtongtin Water Users Association was also present at the programme.

Press Release No. 222/17

WORKSHOP ON SCIENTIFIC FISH CULTURE AND MARKETING STRATEGIES HELD IN TURA

As a part of the ongoing 2nd Aqua Fest, 2017 which started on 28th March, 2017, a one day workshop on Scientific Fish Culture & Marketing Strategies was held on 30th March, 2017 at SMELC Building, Dakopgre, Tura. The weeklong event is being organised by Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Meghalaya, Garo Hills region in collaboration with District Administration, West Garo Hills and IBDLP, Basin Development Unit, Tura. The thematic workshop was attended by partners from all blocks of West Garo Hills, representatives of SHGs and agencies dealing in fishery sector and the IBDLP representatives and volunteers. Delivering the keynote address, Shri R. B. R. Marak, Superintendent of Fisheries, West Garo Hills said that the state of Meghalaya as a whole and Garo Hills in particular has huge potential with its vast inland fishery resources which offers tremendous scope for developing the fisheries sector. He informed that the department with the existing schemes and specially launched programmes under Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission and Integrated Basin Development & Livelihood Promotion Programme (IBDLP) has been able to reach to over 3000 partners at different stages of intervention under fishery sector. Mentioning on Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission (MSAM), Shri Marak said that several programmes like Special Plan Assistance (SPA), Value Chain Management Programme, Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), Area Expansion under community water body and promotion of fish sanctuaries and eco-hatcheries have been successfully created. He added that the partners need to be serious about the interventions and programmes as aquaculture is one of the fast developing sectors in the economy. Interaction with partners registered under fishery was facilitated by Shri Moalong K. Marak, Fishery Officer, West Garo Hills wherein he presented a brief note on the existing scenario of fish farming in Garo Hills. During the discussion farmers also shared the issues and problems with related to fish practices and markets. An interactive session and presentation on ‘Livelihood, Value Addition, Markets & Future Prospects’ was taken up by Shri V. Valentine Hembrom, DPM-IBDLP/MeghaLAMP West Garo Hills where he conveyed to the fish entrepreneurs that the sector can only get its due recognition only when they are willing to take up risk and venture in the sector. In his presentation, he covered components on the markets, value addition of the fish products and the future prospects in the sector. He also briefed the audience on the knowledge about IBDLP missions and IFAD funded project on Meghalaya Livelihood Access to Markets Project (MeghaLAMP). He invited all the entrepreneurs to take up initiatives towards making the state self –sufficient for production of fish. Others who spoke on the occasion were Smti R. V. Ch. Sangma, Sub-Division Fishery Officer, Dadenggre Sub-Division, Shri Balkam R. Sangma, Fishery Officer, Digrichiring Fish Farm, Tura and ERPs from Rongram & Tikrikilla.