Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 321/15

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY CELEBRATED IN CITY

Shillong, May 22, 2015: Along with the rest of the World, the International Day for Biological Diversity with a theme: “Biodiversity for Sustainable Environment” was celebrated today at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. The programme was organized by the Meghalaya Diversity Board (MBB) and the Department of Forests and Environment. The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is celebrated every year and this year it is also being observed in all the Districts of the State to create awareness among the students and the public on biodiversity, its importance, threats and its need for conservation in the State. Meghalaya Forests and Environment Minister, Shri Prestone Tynsong graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Shri P. B. O. Warjri who was the Guest of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Meghalaya Forests and Environment Minister, Shri Prestone Tynsong expressed his happiness for the huge participation by the students. Shri Tynsong also appealed the students to take up the initiative and play an active role in the protection and preservation of the environment and the biodiversity.

Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Shri P. B. O. Warjri in his speech said that it is such a tremendous encouragement to see the huge participation on the part of the student community and the people at large which shows their great concern for mother nature. Shri Warjri also said that everybody has a role to play and everybody must take up the initiative to preserve the biodiversity hotspots and encouraged the students to continue their dedication towards the protection and conservation of the biodiversity.

Shri D. Sathyan, Secretary, Meghalaya Biodiversity Board (MBB) presented a Report on the MBB wherein he said that India is one of the mega diversity country in the world and added that Meghalaya is the key area for biodiversity conservation due to its high species diversity and high level of endemism. He also said that Mawphlang Sacred Grove in Meghalaya will be declared as the first Biodiversity Heritage site later this year.

Earlier the Forest and Environment Minister released a book, “Wild Orchids of Meghalaya: A Pictorial Guide” and he also released Posters and Brochures on Biodiversity. Prizes were also distributed to the winners of various competitions like the State Level Photography, Essay and Painting competitions.

To enable the research scholars continue with their researches on various topics like “Butterflies of Meghalaya”, “Wild Edible Fruits of East Khasi Hills” Documentation of Biodiversity Areas and Rich Heritage Sites”, “Conservation of Orchids” etc. the first MBB Grants were also handed to them.

Shri M. S. Rao, Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment delivered the welcome address while Shri Sunil Kumar, PCCF and HoFF offered the vote of thanks. Shri V. K. Nautiyal, ex-HoFF, expert Committee members of the MBB, officials from the Botanical and Zoological Survey of India, officials from the State Government and the students from various schools were also present on the occasion.

Press Release No. 325/15

CM LAYS BASE FOR FIRST EVER APPAREL AND GARMENT CENTRE IN THE STATE

Shillong, May 22, 2015: The Meghalaya Chief Minister today laid the foundation stone for setting up the first ever Apparel & Garment Centre in the State under North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Textiles (independent charge), Santosh Kumar Gangwar, here at Hatisil. Parliamentary Secretary for PHE etc, Noverfield Marak, Chairperson, Meghalaya Resources & Employment Generation Council, Dikkanchi D.Shira, Joint Secretary, Union Textiles Ministry, Pushpa Subrahmanyam, South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, hosts of officials from the State and Central governments were among others present on the occasion besides thousands of weavers, farmers and the public of the area.,

In his address on the occasion, Dr. Sangma expressed his gratitude to the Union Ministry of Textiles for having approved the project on a fast-track mode and giving the sanction on a timeline basis, adding that the State Government has been focusing on the much needed aspect of providing opportunities particularly for the huge untapped workforce. The State Government has been working in tandem with the Government of India to create multiple opportunities for the youth workforce with number of interventions which include various skill and entrepreneurship development programmes, he said. “The focus of the State Government has been to create job spaces for the youth within the State rather than the usual placement for jobs in other parts of the country”, he said, adding, “the country needs to take advantage of the ever growing market in the textile sector, particularly the apparel and garment industry”.

Citing the example of how Bangladesh has overtaken India in respect of apparel & garment export, he also stressed the need to promote investment in the sector in the rural areas thus enabling the industries to bring down the overhead expenditure and become globally competitive. Stating that the State Government has initiated a number of new programmes to create job spaces within the State, the Chief Minister said that two new Centres of incubation & entrepreneurship promotion have been sanctioned by the State Government at Mawpat and Ampati and Industrial Promotion Centres in four districts which are designed to attract investors in the labour-intensive sector. Stating that Meghalaya, like any other states in the northeast also have a huge population of farmers who are connected with sericulture and silk production, the Chief Minister said there are 45,000 identified silk farmers in the State and made a special mention of the scheme for expansion of sericulture farming and silk production by the State Government in 2013, expressing hope that the scheme having sanctioned by the Centre recently would place Meghalaya one of the producers of silk which is unique to the State.

He also suggested that the Ministry take up proper research and development of the high value Ramie fibre which can be a game changer in the textile industry. Mentioning about the traditional workforce such as weavers, the Chief Minister also informed the gathering that advanced training and common facilities are being given to create a complete value chain.

Union Minister of State for Textiles, Santosh Kumar Gangwar, in his address stressed on the need to jointly work towards growth and development stating that handloom and handicraft is essential everywhere in the world. Referring to Narendra Modi who after taking over charge as the Prime Minister of India had expressed his concern for the region of North East, he stated the importance of working towards the growth and development of the region and also mentioned that Bangladesh which is close to the state is also faring well in the textile industry in the world. Mr. Gangwar also said that with proper availability of land, the Government can work towards initiating textile industry in the region, adding that is a fruitful industry that can provide easy employment for anyone and an attractive form of employment for the people of Northeast. The Central Government is fully committed towards this project, he said expressing hope that it would provide employment for 1000–1500 people in the region. “This is just the beginning of a prospective project and the Central Government is committed totally towards making this project a success” he said and requested the people to cooperate with them and work alongside Geo Textiles.

The Union Minister of State also informed the gathering that the Centre will be setting up silk industry in the entire Northeast under Rs.30 crore budget out of which the Centre will pay Rs.29.9 crore and also increase handloom clusters in collaboration with NIFT with 72 clusters in Meghalaya alone.

Earlier, the Chief Minister along with the Union Minister of State also released leaflets on apparel & garment making, geo-textiles, NERTPS for Sericulture Department in the region.