Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya attended the inaugural function of the three-day Amur Falcon Conservation Week 2018 at Polytechnic Institute, Ashaa in Wokha on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, Acharya said importance was being given to the festival to promote eco-tourism and attract tourists, which would ensure economic development.
“We have the potentiality to become one of the richest States in the country, but we have to plan meticulously and see that our empowered and highly educated Naga youth come back to Nagaland and work for our people to make the State prosperous,” he stressed.
Stating that God had blessed people of Pangti village as the birds come in millions to this area only as they knew that this was a peaceful area, Acharya reminded the villagers that God had identified their village and its surrounding areas as the most peaceful area.
He said earlier people, knowingly or unknowingly, started killing these birds, but now there was an awakening. Acharya congratulated Pangti villagers, church leaders, NGOs, government departments and stakeholders for initiating and motivating the people to preserve the birds.
Acharya also thanked the tourism department and Wokha district administration for taking up the task of clearing the roads so that foreign and domestic tourists could visit and enjoy this God-gifted place.
Lauding the efforts they had put in preserving the birds without causing any disturbance, Acharya appealed to all to restrain themselves and see to it that the whole conservation efforts were taken care of and save the environment.
He remarked that God had blessed the Lotha community with many resources and that the people should know how to develop to make Nagaland “golden”.
Giving the keynote address, tourism secretary Mhabemo Yanthan said the programme was being organised with the objective of drawing focus on the benefits of tourism, showcase cultural diversity and promote tourism. He said the State had celebrated Paryatan Parv with the theme “Global Warming”.
He said “Let us work with renewed vigour by involving as many inhabitants as possible in this region to stay connected with both amur falcons and tourism in whatever way possible and feasible as Partatan Parv emphasises on tourism for all.”
Calling for promotion of eco tourism as it had immense potential, Yanthan remarked eco tourism, rural tourism, sports tourism, etc, would have a positive impact on rural economy, adding it was achievable and could provide an alternative source of livelihood to many.
He suggested holding an annual Amur falcon festival as a major tourism activity. He called upon everyone to work with commitment and sincerity, along with transparency and accountability, which would all contribute positively towards the growth of rural economy.
The objectives of the Amur falcon festival could be to spread awareness on wildlife conservation and strengthen human-nature relationship, besides providing an alternative source of sustainable livelihood for the community through eco tourism.
Short speeches were also delivered by IT, science & technology, NRE advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon, State’s chief wildlife warden SP Tripathi and Pangti Village Council chairman Jenithung Shitiri.
The inaugural function was chaired by Wokha deputy commissioner Dr Manazir Jeelani Samoon. This was stated in a press release issued by Wokha DPRO.