Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 231/22

PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES SCHEME LAUNCHED IN SWGH

South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner S. K. Marak officially launched the Payment for Ecosystem Services Scheme for South West Garo Hills district in the presence of officials of line departments and Nokmas, community and clan leaders at the DRDA conference hall Ampati on Friday. It may be recalled that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had launched the state-wide PES scheme on June 13, last

The Deputy Commissioner while highlighting the objectives of PES, said that the scheme, being implemented under Community Led Landscape Management Project, is aimed at providing financial support to the villages, communities, clans and individuals willing to conserve existing natural forests for a period of 30 years in order to counter the losses due to conservation measures, and sought the cooperation of all concerned for successful implementation of the scheme in the district.

During the meeting to launch and introduce PES in the district, a presentation was made by the DPM, CLLMP, South West Garo Hills to explain the guidelines and format of application for the scheme for the benefit of the Nokmas and community leaders present at the meeting. As per the guidelines, villages, communities, clans or individuals having at least 5 hectares of natural forest are eligible for the scheme, while those with land smaller than 5 hectares can group their lands with other natural forest land owners, provided these forest lands are located close by.

Under the scheme, financial support of Rs.8000 per Ha per year will be given for 5 years. Additional reward amount of Rs.5000 per Ha per year will be given if the forest is registered as community reserve with Forest department and Rs.2000 per Ha per year if the forest is very dense or traditionally recognized sacred grove or has a living root bridge or located in eco-sensitive zones around protected areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, or wildlife corridors. If the forest is not yet registered, the applicant can apply for registration with the Forest department and submit copy of the application receipt while applying for PES scheme. Even individual owners can apply for registration.

During the interaction that followed the presentation, the nokmas and community landowners, while showing positive response to the scheme, also expressed certain apprehensions and they were clarified by the CLLMP team informing them that there would be no change in the status of ownership of the forest land and spelled out to them the list of permissible and restricted activities once they availed the scheme.

Press Release No. 232/22

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUGS ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING WAS OBSERVED IN NONGPOH

As part of the observation of the International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the office of the Superintendent of Police, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh today the 24th June observed this day at District Library Auditorium Hall Nongpoh in the midst presence of Shri MB Tongper, MCS Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Shri Giri Prasad IPS, Superintendent of Police, Shri S.Paslein DSP, Smti. E.Kharshandi DSWO, Shri R.Dhar, SDSEO, Shri T.S Sangma DM&HO Nongpoh and others.

The observation commencing with the colorful march from Pahamsyiem NSCA Mini Stadium, Nongpoh to District Library Hall participated by students from different schools and from Ri Bhoi College Nongpoh. The observation also includes with the Extempore speech and Poster competition took part by school children, a short play on the impact of drug using performed by the NGO members of RAWA Umsning and entertainment song presented by Anthony Khyriem.

Shri MB Tongper, Addl. Deputy Commissioner while delivering a speech, lauded the SP’s office for taking the initiatives in observing the International Day against Drug Abuse. He said that this day has been observed every year in the month of June as part of creating awareness and sharing information to people particularly to teenagers on the ill effects of drugs abuse and alcohol. He said that drug abuse affected the life physically and mentally hence, he calls for joint effort to solve this problem faced by the societies and meanwhile to help those drug users in their combat against their addiction and also to help overcome them back to normal life. Moreover, he encouraged young students to be a messengers in spreading information to their friends, relatives on the facts relating to drugs and to refrain themselves from using drugs and alcohol.

Press Release No. 233/22

DISTRICT LEVEL SUBROTO MUKHERJEE INTER-SCHOOL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES AT AMPATI

The District level Subroto Mukherjee Inter-School Football Tournament, organized by District Sports Office, Ampati for schools of South West Garo Hills, concluded on Friday at Students' Field, Ampati. The tournament concluded with the final matches of the three categories, U-14 boys, U-17 girls and U-17 boys, and was graced by PK Sangma, ADC of South West Garo Hills as the Chief Guest, along with SM Marak, District Sports Officer and other guests from Sports Associations.

St Claret Higher Secondary School emerged as champion of U-14 boys category, beating Emanuel English School 4-0. By scoring 7 goals, Rakbatjohn S Sangma of St. Claret, Hr. secondary School became the top scorer in this category. Emanuel English School's Lastbirth D Sangma secured himself Player of the Tournament title and Mansrang S Sangma was awarded the Best Goalkeeper.

In U-17 girls category, Garobadha Hr. Secondary School defeated Bandalkona Sec. School 1-0. Anisha Arengh of Garobadha Hr. Secondary School scored 2 goals to become top scorer in this category, while her teammate Teanchi Sangma was awarded Player of the Tournament. Chaksabora Ch. Sangma of Ampati Government Hr. Secondary School was awarded the Best Goalkeeper in this category.

In U-17 boys category, the match ended in a draw and favoured Ampati Government Higher Secondary School at the penalty shootout to defeat Emanuel English School 3-2, making them champions in this category. Matsrang N Sangma scored 11 goals to become Top Scorer in this category. Ampati Government Hr. Secondary School's Civillo Ch. Momin was awarded Player of the Tournament and his teammate Sallingbirth A Sangma was awarded the Best Goalkeeper in this category. The winners of each category will be playing in the state level tournament in July.

Press Release No. 234/22

AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON DRUGS ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING HELD IN WJHD

West Jaintia Hills District Police in collaboration with Sein Kynjei observed Nasha Se Azadi Pakhwada at Panaliar Community Hall today . The observation is in connection with the International Day against drugs abuse and illicit Trafficking observed annually on 26th June, to raise awareness and to act against drugs abuse.

Dr. L. R Bishnoi, IPS, DGP, Meghalaya Shillong attended the programme as Chief Guest. Shri. B. D Marak, MPS Superintendent of Police,West Jaintia Hills, Smt. C W Lyngdoh, MPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dr. A Paswet , Psychiatrist, Members of Sein Kynjei were also present

Addressing the youths DGP spoke about substance abuse and problems arise from drug use advising the youths to refrain from all forms of drugs abuse. Underlining the need to curb menace of drugs he called for coordination and cooperation from each and everyone. He informed that the Police Department from its part has started conducting a series of awareness programme in the community and in particular for the youths of the ill effects of drug. During the last one month he informed the department had conducted around 250 awareness programme with a hope to bring some changes to the youths, the society and community as a whole. Shri. B. D Marak, Superintendent of Police interacted with the students.

An Awareness programme on Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking was also organised at Ladthadlaboh community Hall on the theme, Addressing drugs challenges in health and humanitarian care & crisis. by the office of the District Social Welfare Officer, Jowai in collaboration with Breakthrough Rehabilitation Centre, Khliehtyrshi. The program was chaired by Rev. L. Garod. Smt. J. Synnah, District Social Welfare Officer in her welcome address informed that observation is also part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

An awareness on basic and causes of drug abuse and addiction, Effects of drugs on family and individual health, Narcotics Drug and Pschotropic Substance Act, 1985 was presented by Smt. D Bareh, field Co- ordinator SURE, Jowai, Dr. A. Paswet, Phyciatrist, Mental Health Civil Hospital, Ialong and Shri. J Syiemlieh, SI Police Department. Shri. R.Q Laloo, Secretary Synjuk Waheh Shnong, Jowai gave a talk on Drugs stressing on the present scenario of Jowai Town . Earlier, all participants present took a pledge. The District Social Welfare office had also conducted drawing competition and prize were distributed to the winners.