Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 63/23

WORKSHOP ON WILDLIFE CRIME HELD

Workshop on Wildlife crimes and its various dimensions was organised by the Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Western Range), Meghalaya Tura in association with Aaranyak on 24th April 2023 at District Auditorium, Tura. About 200 participants from Police, Forest Department, Village Defence Party and Nokmas attended the workshop.

Other dignitaries including DFO, Tura, Divisional Forest Officer, West Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills Division and South Garo Hills also attended the workshop.

During the workshop, role of the common masses in conservation of biodiversity through prevention of wildlife crime was discussed.

A former member of the National Board of Wildlife and Founder of Aaranyak, Dr. Talukdar laid emphasis on synergised efforts for conservation of wildlife and prevention of wildlife crime which poses threat to national security because of nexus with arms smugglers, drug cartel and militants. He also stated that successful conservation of wildlife species leads to conservation of habitats and thereby biodiversity.

Environment Lawyer Ajoy Kumar Das also apprised participants of the key clauses of Wildlife, Forest and Environment Laws especially Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022.

Press Release No. 64/23

CONSUL GENERAL OF BHUTAN VISITS SOUTH WEST GARO HILLS

His Excellency Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, Consul General, along with Vice Consul Phurpa Tshering of Royal Bhutanese Consulate at Guwahati visited South West Garo Hills and interacted with the District Administration regarding trade and export via district, at Circuit House, Ampati on Tuesday

Expressing his gratitude to the Government of Meghalaya and the District Administration of South West Garo Hills for ensuring safe and secure route to the dumpers carrying boulders from Bhutan via district, Namgyal said that even though there are some small sporadic incidents that occurred in the past that hindered the movement of trucks, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police have always ensured safety and security of trade to the Bhutanese exporters.

Bhutan’s economy has decelerated due to COVID-19 pandemic, where tourism industry and international trade have been affected the most. Namgyal stressed on the need for the unceasing support of the Government of Meghalaya and the District Administration as Boulder trade is crucial for Bhutan’s economy at present.

In response, the Deputy Commissioner in-charge, AVD Shira, MCS and Superintendent of Police, V Kumar, ensured a safe and secure trade route via district to the Bhutan Consul. The Consul General and the envoy also visited Mankachar LCS and met the Indian Custom Officials prior to this meeting.