Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 55/23

MEETING ON REJUVENATION AND RESTORATION OF MAJOR RIVERS OF SHILLONG

A meeting on Rejuvenation and Restoration of the major rivers of Shillong viz Wahumkhrah, Wah Umshyrpi and Wah Umkhen was held here today at Yojana Bhawan which was attended by Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister, A L Hek, Chief Secretary, D P Wahlang senior officers, members of Dorbar Shnongs and representatives from different civil bodies.

In his remarks, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the objective of the meeting was identify the critical gaps and devise future action plan and the way forward in the rejuvenation and restoration of the three important rivers of Shillong while soliciting the participation and suggestions of the Dorbar Shnongs and the communities.

The Chief Minister also said that there needs to be a balance between ecology and economy adding that the meeting that we are having today is a part of the larger agenda of the State government to have a balance among livelihood, economy and environment so that while the economic needs are being taken care of the environment is also protected and conserved for future generations. He also said that the government is committed to rejuvenation and restoration of all water bodies in the State.

He also highlighted some of the programmes of the government for climate change mitigation, sewage and waste management, phasing out single use plastic, mitigating air pollution through use of electric vehicles and afforestation and community participation through awareness and involvement of students and youth through programmes and designing curriculum.

Earlier, Chief Secretary, D P Wahlang in his presentation said that there are NGT and court directives to address the issue of pollution of the rivers. He also informed that Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi are among the 45 most polluted rivers of the country as listed by NGT. He called upon the active participation of the community and different stakeholders like KHADC, Dorbar Shnongs, civil society organizations in awareness and mobilization.

Press Release No. 56/23

AMPATI OBSERVES NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE DAY

Together with the rest of the nation, the National Fire Service Day, 2023, was observed by South West Garo Hills district police at the premises of the Fire and Emergency Services, here at Ampati on Friday.

The official program to mark the occasion was attended by Addl. SP, T. D. Sangma, DySP HQ, Ravi Sangma, Probationary IPS Officer, Naman Kumar, along with the CI, OCs, ICs and staff of Fire Service, among others.

The Addl. SP explained the significance of the day and recalled the martyrs who laid down their lives in the line of duty, while the Dy SP HQ read out the list of names of firefighters from across the country who made supreme sacrifice in saving the lives of others.

The police officers also paid homage to the martyrs by laying wreaths at the Martyrs column, while the district police offered the guard of honour as a mark of respect to the martyrs.

As part of the occasion, distribution of pin flags and poster campaign was also undertaken by the personnel and later they undertook a rally and announcement to spread awareness to the public on fire safety measures and firefighting techniques.