Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 96/23

CM CONRAD SANGMA DISTRIBUTES PES AND OTHER PROGRAMS IN TURA

The Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma distributed Payment for Eco-System Services (PES) Cheques and other programmes simultaneously in the presence of Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya M Ampareen Lyngdoh today at the impressive function held at Matchakolgre L P School Playground, New Tura.

Other programmes line up for the day are Flagging off of PRIME Agriculture Response Vehicles by Agriculture Department, Felicitation of HSSLC and SSLC Toppers, Plantation of Saplings Initiative under District Plantation Mission, West Garo Hills, Free Saplings Distribution by Social Forestry Division, West Garo Hills, Launch of MegLife- Plantation Drive, Seed Ball Initiative- Distribution of Seed Balls and Demonstration and KYAN Kit distribution.

Addressing the gathering, Conrad Sangma said that different schemes of various departments in the State are being distributed in this programme for the benefit and welfare of the people of the State. Reiterating on the importance of these schemes, he said that the Government executes the plan and policies and implements it but the success of these programmes largely depends on the support and cooperation of the people and society as a whole. Therefore, he urged everyone to work together and protect and preserve the environment for future generations as well as to combat climate change.

Stating that about 80 percent of the people of the State are farmers, he said that we need to work in collaboration with farmers in order to bring a change in economic development of the region. Informing that about 50, 000 youth are entering the work force every year and that only 1000 government post are available in the State in a year, therefore, agriculture, food processing, tourism sector, IT sector, etc should be focused and develop avenues in these sectors to provide job opportunities to other 49,000 youths of the region. The Chief Minister also informed that along with the Agriculture Response Vehicles, the government has also provided solar powered Cold Storage facilities so that the unsold agricultural products can be stored in these facilities. Congratulating the successful Toppers of the region in the recently conducted examination by the Meghalaya Board of School Education, he said that apart from achieving in academics, the character of a person including discipline, hard work, and dedication helps to build up a person’s character and urged the students to develop these values and become productive citizens in future.

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, M Ampareen Lyngdoh said that change in the governance and planning process can be seen where the government had empowered the people and the people are engaged with responsibilities and activities and work towards greater development to bring change in the State. She also shared her observation that educated people are also helping their parents in agricultural activities which can address unemployment to some extent and urged them to make use of the available lands which can produce healthy organic products for the people of the region.

It may be mentioned that Payment for Eco-System Scheme is meant to support villages, communities, clan or individuals that commit to conserve and protect Natural Forest for a minimum period of 30 years. Villages, communities, clans or individuals that have a minimum of 2 hectares of Natural Forest are eligible under this scheme. The financial support given in this scheme is Rs. 8000 per hectare per year for 5 years and additional amount Rs 5000 will be given if the forest is notified as community reserve with Forest Department or is covered under Working Scheme with the Autonomous District Council and Rs 2000 per hectare per year, if the Forest is very dense forest or traditionally recognized Sacred Groove or has Living Root Bridge or is located in Eco-Sensitive zone around protected areas such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuary or in Wildlife Corridors.

The Chief Minister Conrad Sangma along with Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department M Ampareen Lyngdoh felicitated the SSLC and HSSLC Toppers in the recently conducted Examination by the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE), Tura.