68th Asetkong Mungdang underway at Longpa village

Around three hundred delegates from the different villages and affiliated units under Asetkong range of Mokokchung district are attending 68th Asetkong Mungdang (Asetkong citizens’ conference) which got underway at Longpa village, Thursday.
On the first day, the main speaker, Government College Dimapur assistant professor, Dr. Benjongkumba Imchen spoke on the topic, “the role of the community in the preservation of environment” and highlighted on the different problems being faced by the people both in the local, national and global level. Dr. Benjongkumba while highlighting from a Biblical point of view, pointed out that the biodiversity – the land and its resources, the flora and fauna – has been entrusted by God to man to take care of them. However, he lamented that humans have been exploiting the natural resources, without giving much thought about the future, and therefore, there are different environmental issues facing the human kind today.
In this connection, he questioned what role the people of Asetkong range can play in the conservation of the biodiversity in the society. Speaking from a global perspective, Dr. Benjongkumba said that it is the role of each and every citizen of the world to be aware of the environmental issue and play a part for a cleaner world.
He therefore suggested the gathered Asetkong citizens to adopt sustainable farming and strongly discourage the large scale destruction of forests for cultivation.
Dr. Benjongkumba also suggested concerted afforestation activities to make the deforested areas lush with trees; a ban on the use of pesticides in the fields; to control the use of air-guns and catapults by youngsters in the villages; scientific methods of garbage disposal and also to ban the use of chemicals, batteries, bombs in the rivers and water bodies.
 If these activities can be adopted, Dr. Benjongkumba maintained that Asetkong people would be playing a great role in the conservation of the environment in the society.
Asektong Students’ Conference (AKTM) president Rongsennukshi Aier, also spoke at the function, Longpa village council chairman delivered the welcome address while the pastor of Longpa Baptist church invoked God’s blessings. The council chairman of Longjang village also exhorted the audience.
During the function reposts from the different departments like finance, general secretary and development committee were also presented.
The 68th Asetkong Citizens’ Conference will conclude on January 15 with parliamentary secretary for geology and mining Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, as the chief guest.