Minister James PK Sangma distributes cheques under PES pilot project in Meghalaya

TURA: Meghalaya Forests and Environment Minister, James PK Sangma, accompanied by Chief Executive Member (CEM) of GHADC, Albinush R Marak, distributed cheques as payment of first installment under the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) pilot project for restoration of Ganol catchment to 18 villages at a function organized at Oragitok village under Rongram C&RD Block on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister lauded the initiatives undertaken by Dr Subhash Ashutosh, co-chairman and Director of Centre of Excellence for Natural Resources Management and Sustainable Livelihood, for successfully implementing this extremely noble and innovative idea. Despite the fact that the climate change is playing havoc in the entire state and other challenges, the government had an opportunity to go ahead with the PES, he informed. Saying that the government must come forward and act in such kind of challenging situations, the minister expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for having the courage to try to find a unique balance between the economy and ecology, which is one of the biggest challenges that conservation efforts face in today's times.

The CEM of GHADC, Albinush R Marak, while addressing the gathering, sought the cooperation and support of the villagers to conserve the natural environment for preserving the rivers, streams and other water bodies. The villages which received the cheques as first installment for social agreement and boundary mapping under the PES on the day, included Bibragre, Chandigre, Darechikgre, Daribokgre, Do.pananggre, Dura Kalakgre, Dura Kantragre, Dura Songma, Pagugre, Ganol A.pal, Ganol Songma, Selbalgre, Misimagre, Matchurigre, Sasatgre, So.ragre, Tosekgre and Wa.dagre. The keynote address, on the day, was delivered by Dr Subhash Ashutosh, the co-chairman and Director of the Centre of Excellence. The others who spoke on the occasion included the vice-president of Nokma Council, Wenison ChM arak and Prenilla A Sangma, the Nokma of Dura Songma, stated a press release.

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