Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 326/19

NATIONAL FISH FARMERS DAY CELEBRATED

The Department of Fisheries, today celebrated National Fish Farmer’s Day in a function held at the Directorate of Fisheries, Shillong. Shri. K. N. Kumar, Chairman and Secretary Farmers (Empowerment) Commission graced the occasion as the Chief Guest while Shri. Sampath Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya was the Guest of Honour. Besides officers of the Department of Fisheries, a large number of fish farmers from all over the State took part in this one day programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. K. N. Kumar informed that there are 22,000 fish farmers supported under the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission. Over the past 5 years Meghalaya has tripled its production of fresh water fish from 4,800 Metric Tonnes in 2012 to 13,000 Metric Tonnes in 2019. In-spite of the success, there is still a shortfall in production as the demand for fish in the State is about 27,000 Metric Tonnes annually. In order to plug this shortfall, the Government has launched the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission (MSAM) 2.0 in 2019. Based on the experience of the State with the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission 1.0, launched in 2012, the MSAM 2.0 aims to bridge the gaps of MSAM 1.0 and effectively help fish farmers achieve self sufficiency in fish production in the next five years. Shri. K. N. Kumar also informed that investments are also being made to develop critical infrastructure like hatcheries to foster the breeding of fingerlings. With the aim of protecting genetic diversity of the fishes, under Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission 2.0, in addition to the existing 50 functional sanctuaries, 50 more fish sanctuaries are expected to be constructed across the state in the next five years, he informed.

Shri. Sampath Kumar, in his brief address stated that Meghalaya has a huge potential for aquaculture, especially in the fishery sector and although the State has seen significant increase in the production of fish in the past five years of the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission, more needs to be done to achieve self sufficiency in fish production. Shri. Kumar also informed the gathering about the Government of India’s Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), a time-bound, mission-mode water conservation campaign being carried out in different districts of the State with the aim at making water conservation a movement through asset creation and communication campaign. He hoped that the campaign will not only create awareness on water harvesting but also encourage fish farmers to step up their aquaculture activities. On the occasion, Shri K. N. Kumar also released a Coffee Table Book entitled Rivers of Life – A Portrait of Fish Sanctuaries in Meghalaya and inaugurated a Retail Fish Outlet in the premises. Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the Marathon competition held earlier in the morning.

Press Release No. 327/19

LANDSLIDES AT DIFFERENT STRETCHES OF ROAD UNDER NONGSTOIN DIVISION

The Executive Engineer, PWD (Roads), Nongstoin Division, Nongstoin has informed that due to incessant rainfall that occurred from 6th – 10th July, 2019, landslides at numerous stretches on Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura road NH 44E and 127B, has partially blocked the road and restricted the smooth and safe plying of vehicles. Complete road blockade is reported at 21st, 24th and 25th km of the same road since the 10th of July, 2019 and is expected to be cleared the following day depending on the decrease of rainfall intensity. Occurrence of landslides at stretches of Mawshynrut-Hahim road disrupting the plying of vehicles has also been reported. Temporary restoration works to clear the mud slides and restore the movement of vehicles have been taken up. Drivers are advised to drive cautiously and every effort from the department has been pressed for the convenience of the public.

Press Release No. 328/19

OBSERVATION OF WORLD YOUTH SKILL DAY

The Labour Department in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society (MSSDS) under the umbrella of the Government Project ‘Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya’ (SHCDM) assisted by ADB will observe the World Youth Skill Day on 15th July, 2019 at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong from 2:00 PM onwards. During the celebration, Skill Training Providers of various Government sponsored programmes will be setting up stalls at the venue wherein youths may obtain information on various sectors like Hospitality, Fashion Designing, IT/ITES, Healthcare-General Duty Assistant, Security Guard, Plumbing, Welding and Painting besides Native Sectors like Integrated Farming, Pottery, Handloom & Weaving etc. Other activities will include road shows in Police Bazaar and Motphran areas, where plays with relevant themes will be staged.

Press Release No. 330/19

WORLD POPULATION DAY OBSERVED

The Office of the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO), East Khasi Hills District today organised a programme to mark World Population Day, 2019 and the launch of the Population Stabilization Fortnight 2019 at Sohryngkham Community Hall, Lulong, Sohryngkham, East Khasi Hills District. The programme was attended by Shri David Nongrum, MLA, Mawryngkneng Constituency in the presence of Shri R. Wahlang, BDO, Mawryngkneng, CR&D Block, Dr J.B Ranee, Additional DMHO, East Khasi Hills, Shillong, Dr. A Kharduit, Senior Medical and Health Officer, i/c Mawryngkneng PHC, village Headman, heath officials, ASHAs, anganwadi workers, elders, teachers and students among others.

Speaking at the programme, Shri David Nongrum stated that the primary objective of the observance of World Population Day is to create awareness to the public on the need to adopt family planning measures to ensure that families prosper, the resultant effect of which is the prosperity of the state and the nation at large. He also said that the need of the hour is the forging of a close coordination between all the stakeholders including parents, educational institutions, village authorities and the government, in respect of awareness creation on the importance of small families as big families often result in constraints in educational and employment opportunities for children who are the future of the country. As part of the observation, an extempore speech competition and poster competition was also organized on the occasion. It may be mentioned that World Population Day, first observed on the 11th of July in the year 1989, presents an occasion to raise awareness on the ever increasing world population and the problems associated with it including the threat to depletion of natural resources and the challenges it poses to livelihood and the environment.

Press Release No. 332/19

CHIEF MINISTER HOLDS MEETING WITH OFFICIALS FOR CLEANER SHILLONG

Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma, today had a meeting with officials of different line departments and civil organizations to discuss and chalk out ways and measures to ensure cleanliness in and around Shillong city. Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma said that while seeking suggestions from various departments like District Administration, Forest, Shillong Municipal Board, Urban Affairs said that the involvement of the local bodies, institutions and the District Council is important to meet the objective of keeping Shillong clean. “While there is a need of behavioural change from everyone and active public participation, the local bodies and institutions can play a major role in the enforcement of laws, monitoring and spreading the message of cleanliness and waste management,” he said. He also said that the aim of having a clean Shillong would be met more aggressively after the approval of the Action Plan by the Central Pollution Board.

Press Release No. 333/19

CHIEF MINISTER HOLDS MEETING TO DISCUSS WAYS TO CLEAN UMIAM LAKE

Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma held a meeting today with officials to discuss ways to clean Umiam Lake. “The recent picture of Umiam Lake that has been doing the rounds in social media is a matter of grave environmental concern and an eye sore,” said the Chief Minister. He said that it is an eye opener and short term and long term measures have to be found to clean Umiam Lake. The Chief Minister suggested that a Committee be formed comprising members from the Forest, District Administration, MeECL, Shillong Municipal Board, District Council and Water Resources to work out the mechanisms to clean Umiam Lake. “While the government will definitely look into long term measures to clean Umiam Lake, it is urgently required to stop further waste being dumped into the lake,” he said. Meanwhile officials have clarified that the picture was an old picture but nevertheless it is a wakeup call and measures have to be installed to clean the lake and prevent it from getting polluted further.