Likhabali Constituency masses surrender 42 air guns

A CORRESPONDENT

LIKHABALI: A total of 42 air guns were surrendered by the people of Likhabali Constituency during AASA (Arunachal Airgun Surrender Abhiyaan) organized by the Department of Environment & Forest, Lower Siang District at the Circuit House near here.

Addressing the gathering on Wednesday, Natung appreciated the positive response from the public towards the campaign. He appealed to the gathering to create more awareness on the importance of flora and fauna and also on the COVID-19 pandemic. He further urged the people to shun the culture of mass killing of fish and other aquatic life by generator. "Why should we kill wildlife for consumption in this era when we have sufficient alternatives for it in the market?'' he posed while appealing to the people of the State to also surrender handmade guns.

Earlier during his visit to the famed Manilithan archeological site, Natung inaugurated a shopping complex and a parking zone at the site. He appealed to the public of the area to protect the historical archeological site and ensure its cleanliness. Natung also informed that two security guards have been deployed at the site. Both Minister Natung and the Advisor to the Minister Environment & Forest, KumsiSidisow assured financial assistance to the the 'MalinithanVikashParishad' (MVP) for maintenance of this archeological site.

Encouraging the public gathered on the occasion to join the campaign to help in maintaining the ecological balance, Sidisow said, ''It is our responsibility to preserve and protect the wildlife. Let us stop hunting by living with nature and I appeal to all to join the campaign.''

Meanwhile, supporting the ASSA campaign, local MLA KardoNyigyor assured all help from his end to persuade the public of his Constituency to avoid animal hunting by surrendering their airguns. He said, ''It is the first airgun-surrender programme in the district and it has witnessed a huge support from the public.'' He also thanked the Minister for setting up a permanent WRD office in the district headquarters.

Speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the programme, Minister Natung said that all funds for AASA have been given offered by like-minded people and has no connection with State government's exchequer.

"There are rumours among people that the campaign involves huge funds from the State exchequer. But the reality is that there is no such separate fund allotted for the campaign," he replied when questioned on if the campaign involves government funds.

He also said that the airgun-surrender programmes are organized by the respective Environment & Forest departments at the District level and the promotional items like the caps, and T-shirts among other items are sponsored. "We are making all efforts to make the campaign a huge success for the greater interest of the State and its people. Therefore, such thoughts should never be in any individual's mind," he said.

He also appealed to the people volunteering to surrender airguns to hand over the airguns to the respective District Range Forest officers following the COVID-19 SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) issued in public interest by respective district administration.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were the Lower Siang Deputy Commissioner AK Singh, PCCF RK Singh and heads of department. The occasion was organized with the minimum number of gathering, maintaining COVID-19 SOPs.

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