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ITANAGAR, OCT 5: Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Monday interacted with MLAs from the Adi community, public representatives from East Siang, Siang and Upper Siang districts and representatives of the Adi Baane Kebang (ABK) at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Pasighat to address doubts and create greater awareness about the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Khandu said the interaction was an opportunity to hear different perspectives from legislators, ABK representatives, Pasighat Municipal Council members, panchayat leaders and people who could be directly affected by the project. “The Siang carries deep meaning for the people who live along its banks. Any conversation about its future must therefore begin with listening,” he said. He said the meeting brought forward valuable suggestions, questions and concerns, adding that such conversations were essential to building confidence, addressing apprehensions and ensuring that people had adequate information. In a social media post, Mein said it was important for elected representatives and public leaders to understand the project in its entirety so that they could help people understand its objectives, implications and the process involved. He said SUMP was being considered primarily from the perspective of protecting the Siang basin and ensuring water security, particularly in view of concerns over the proposed mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo upstream in China. Mein said the proposed SUMP, with its significant water-storage capacity, was envisaged as a regulating and buffer reservoir that could help maintain downstream flows during lean periods and moderate sudden releases of water from upstream. Referring to past flooding in the Siang basin, including the 2002 floods in Pasighat, Mein said the experience underlined the need to strengthen preparedness and protect communities living along the river. He appealed to people of Siang, East Siang and Upper Siang to allow the Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) activities to be undertaken, saying the exercise would establish whether the project was technically and geographically feasible. “The PFR will establish whether the project is technically and geographically feasible. It is an assessment stage, not a decision to construct the dam,” Mein said, adding that any further decision would have to follow due process and consultation with the people. The interaction took place amid fresh tensions over the PFR exercise. Clashes between protesters and security personnel were reported at Riga and Ugeng on Monday, with injuries to protesters and security personnel and damage to property reported during the incidents. The government has been seeking dialogue with organisations opposing SUMP, while the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) has sought more time for internal consultations before engaging in talks with the State Government.    

ITANAGAR, OCT 5: Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona on Monday said the state will make every effort to ensure that the 14th International Tourism Mart (ITM), scheduled to be held in Tawang in the last week of October, provides an opportunity to showcase the state’s natural beauty, culture and hospitality to the world. Sona said this while reviewing preparations for the event with representatives of the ministry of tourism, state tourism department and officials from Tawang and West Kameng districts. “We have to be fully prepared to welcome our guests and present the best of the state to the world,” Sona said, stressing the need for close coordination among all departments and stakeholders involved in organising the event, officials said here. The minister said preparations should not be limited to the main venue but cover every aspect of the visitor experience, including accommodation, transportation, logistics, protocol and hospitality. “Close coordination among all departments concerned and stakeholders is essential to ensure that our guests have a memorable experience,” he said. The 14th ITM is scheduled to be held in Tawang from October 27 to November 1 and is being jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism and the Arunachal Pradesh government. Delegates from around 20 countries are expected to attend the event. “We want our guests to experience not only the event but also the warmth, culture and beauty of Arunachal Pradesh,” Sona said, underlining the importance of hospitality and proper arrangements during the visit of delegates. The mart is an annual platform of the ministry of tourism aimed at showcasing the tourism potential of the Northeast to domestic and international audiences. It brings together tourism businesses, tour operators, buyers, sellers, media, government agencies and other stakeholders from the region and abroad. For Tawang, hosting the event is also an opportunity to take its mountain landscapes, Buddhist heritage and local culture to a wider audience. The district is home to the historic Tawang Monastery, while Sela Pass, Nuranang Falls, high-altitude lakes and the region’s traditional Monpa culture form part of its tourism appeal. The event is returning to Tawang after more than a decade, with the district having hosted the tourism mart earlier in 2013. Sona said the event should be seen as an opportunity for the state and its tourism stakeholders to build stronger connections with visitors, tour operators and the international travel industry. “We must work together as one team so that the event is conducted smoothly and our guests carry back a positive and lasting impression of Arunachal Pradesh,” he added. (Source: PTI)    

ROING, OCT 5: ROING, OCT 5: Agriculture Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu on Monday launched a Farmer ID Generating Camp at Roing in Lower Dibang Valley district, describing the initiative as a step towards building a more transparent, efficient and farmer-centric agricultural system in Arunachal Pradesh. Addressing farmers, Gaon Burahs, public representatives and departmental officials, Wangsu said the Farmer ID initiative under the AgriStack framework would help the government develop a reliable database of the State’s farming community by linking verified information about farmers with their farms and agricultural activities. “This is a paradigm shift in the journey of our agriculture sector. Farmer ID is one of the biggest exercises being undertaken in the country to build a proper agricultural information system,” he said. The minister said the initiative was not merely about creating an identity for farmers, but would help the government understand who the farmers are, where they cultivate, what they grow and what kind of support they require. Such information, he said, would facilitate better planning and more effective delivery of agricultural schemes. Wangsu also stressed data security and transparency, saying verified farmer records would help ensure that agricultural benefits reach genuine beneficiaries. He said Farmer ID would give farmers greater visibility over their information and help prevent misuse of their identity or claims being made in their name. Clarifying that Farmer ID should not be confused with a land ownership document, Wangsu said, “Farmer ID is not a land ownership document, nor does it establish legal ownership of any land. It is a farmer identification record intended to support the delivery of agricultural services and benefits.” He appealed to farmers to actively participate in the registration process and cooperate with departmental field surveyors involved in farm mapping and data collection. He also urged PRI members, Gaon Burahs and community representatives to create awareness in their respective villages and ensure that eligible farmers are not left out due to lack of information. The minister said the initiative was part of broader efforts to strengthen agriculture and improve support systems for farmers in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Officials informed that the initiative has been launched in six pilot districts—Tawang, Pakke Kessang, Lower Subansiri, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and Namsai. Based on the experience and progress of the pilot phase, it will subsequently be expanded to the remaining 21 districts of the State.    

KHONSA, OCT 5: The 3rd Central Ronghuan Kuhwa Festival, the traditional millet harvesting festival of the Nocte and Tutsa communities, was celebrated at Nehru Stadium here on Monday with traditional rituals, cultural performances and community participation. The celebration began with the traditional Rangtam and Chharom rituals performed by priest Katgang Lamthak, followed by customary observances at Paang and Rangsoam Sey. Women of Khonsa village also showcased the traditional rice-pounding ritual. Celebrated after the completion of the millet harvest, Ronghuan Kuhwa is marked as an expression of gratitude and prayers for prosperity, abundance and collective well-being. Welcoming the gathering, President of the 3rd Ronghuan Celebration Committee Tediap Hallang said the festival had grown from a village tradition into a platform bringing the Nocte and Tutsa communities together. He also recalled that the previous edition was held at Charju Ground during the construction of Nehru Stadium. Namsai MLA and Advisor to the Home Minister for Rural Works Department and Sports & Youth Affairs Chow Zingnu Namchoom stressed the need to preserve indigenous traditions and knowledge systems. Expressing concern over the younger generation’s growing disconnect from their roots, he urged youth to learn traditional songs, dances and customs from elders. Namchoom also called upon the tribes of Tirap to pursue Geographical Indication (GI) tagging for their traditional motifs and textiles. He informed that an audio recording studio had recently been established in Namsai and encouraged Nocte and Tutsa youth to use the facility free of cost to document traditional folk songs and oral histories. He also suggested adopting Roman scripts for local dialects in the education sector to help preserve indigenous languages and culture. Chief Patron of the festival and Minister for Environment & Forest, Geology, Mining & Minerals and DoTCL Wangki Lowang extended festive greetings and commended the organising committee led by Hallang and Secretary Hangrang Bangsia. Highlighting Tirap’s rich cultural heritage, he noted that the district celebrates several indigenous festivals, including Worang Juku, Pongtu Kuh, Chalo Loku, Hoju Kuhwa and Ronghuan Kuhwa. Lowang proposed bringing these festivals together under a common platform, ‘TIRAP FEST’, to promote tourism and showcase the district’s cultural heritage. Secretary, Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), Maya Murtem, commended the communities for preserving their traditions through songs, dances and rituals. She highlighted the role of IFCSAP in safeguarding Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural heritage. Earlier, Pangnye Khoisia narrated the mythology associated with Ronghuan, providing insights into the festival’s historical and cultural significance. The celebration featured traditional dances by cultural troupes from New Kheti, Bunting and Lamlo, a mega dance by women of Kheti and Thinsa villages, and cultural presentations by Kheti, Turet, Thinsa and Lapnan villages, reflecting the shared heritage of the Nocte and Tutsa communities. The event was attended by Tirap Zilla Parishad Chairperson Adv John KK Matey, Tirap Deputy Commissioner Badonlum Tawsik, Superintendent of Police Aditya, Namsai ZPC Chow Sujana Namchoom, ZPMs, village chiefs, Gaon Burahs, PRIs, BJP functionaries and members of the public.    

TAWANG, OCT 5: The 2nd Monyul Gyalwa Jampa Monlam Tongchoe Chenmo commenced on Monday at Jampa Lhakhang, bringing together monks and devotees from Tawang, West Kameng and Bhutan for prayers, spiritual reflection and Buddhist learning. The religious gathering is being held under the spiritual guidance and leadership of Padma Shri Guru Tulku Rinpoche. The opening prayers were offered for the well-being of all sentient beings and the long life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Monks, devotees and followers of Buddhism participated in the prayers with faith and reverence. The first day featured prayer sessions, Buddhist debates and teachings aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of Buddhist philosophy and practice. A large number of devotees from Tawang, West Kameng and Bhutan attended the Monlam at Jampa Lhakhang and offered prayers for the welfare and benefit of all sentient beings. (Source: Mon Tawang Vigilance)