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Maksam Tayeng PASIGHAT : A team of district administration and Water Resources Department (WRD) officials on Monday visited the flood-affected wet rice cultivation (WRC) fields at Borguli village under Mebo subdivision to assess the extensive damage caused by riverbank erosion along the Siang River. According to Mebo Water Resources Department Assistant Engineer Bani Langkam, the ongoing monsoon has triggered nearly 600 metres of riverbank erosion, washing away an estimated 10,800 square metres of agricultural land as of August 3. The erosion has posed a serious threat to the WRC fields, the primary source of livelihood for many farming families in the area. The assessment team was led by Pasighat Additional Deputy Commissioner (HQ) Pebika Lego, who is also in-charge Deputy Commissioner, and included Mebo Additional Deputy Commissioner Nancy Yirang, Namsing Circle Officer Toimi Tagi, WRD officials, Borguli Gaon Burah Nogen Yirang and local villagers. The officials inspected the affected sites and informed residents that a detailed damage assessment report, along with proposals for long-term flood mitigation measures, would be submitted to the competent authorities. Meanwhile, Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng urged the state government to take immediate steps to address the recurring flood and erosion problems affecting villages along the Siang River. He said villages such as Borguli, Seram, Namsing, Mer, Gadum and Sigar suffer extensive losses every year due to floods, resulting in the erosion of large stretches of agricultural and residential land. Calling for a permanent solution, the MLA stressed the need to construct a flood protection embankment along the Siang River from Sigar to Mer village. He said the project would require support from both the state and central governments to safeguard the lives, livelihoods and farmlands of people living in the Lower Mebo and Monggu Banggo areas.      

ZIRO : Agriculture officials from five districts of central Arunachal Pradesh participated in a one-day orientation programme on the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hall here on Tuesday. Organised by Lower Subansiri District Agriculture Officer Tasso Butung, the training brought together around 40 field-level officials, including Senior District Agriculture Officers, Agriculture Development Officers, Block and Assistant Technology Managers, Marketing Inspectors and Field Assistants from Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Kamle, Kra Daadi and Keyi Panyor districts. The technical session was conducted by Directorate of Agriculture Assistant Statistical Inspector Ngurang Yakam, who introduced participants to the DGCES mobile application and web portal designed to modernise crop yield estimation. The training focused on replacing conventional paper-based crop yield surveys with a digital system that streamlines Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) through automated plot selection, geotagged data collection and GPS-enabled photography to ensure accurate, transparent and tamper-proof field reporting. As part of the programme, participants later visited Mudang Tage village for a field demonstration, where they mapped sample plots and gained hands-on experience in using the mobile application for real-time data collection. The orientation programme forms part of the nationwide initiative to strengthen crop yield estimation through technology-driven and evidence-based agricultural data collection. (DIPR)

SHERGAON : International Clouded Leopard Day was observed at the Garung Thuk Community Library in Shergaon on Tuesday with an awareness programme aimed at introducing students to the ecology, conservation and ecological significance of the clouded leopard. The programme was jointly organised by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Garung Thuk (GT) under the theme, “To spread awareness about the species ecology and its significance in the ecosystem.” Around 45 middle and secondary school students, community representatives and conservation practitioners participated in the event. The programme began with a welcome address by Garung Thuk Deputy Chairman D K Thungon, who also delivered the keynote address. Shergaon Village Council Secretary P K Thungon inaugurated the programme as the chief guest, while Shergaon Zilla Parishad Member C K Thungon attended as the guest of honour. WTI Field Officer Suranjita Roy outlined the objectives of the workshop. Participants first underwent a pre-assessment to evaluate their existing knowledge of the clouded leopard and wildlife conservation. The technical session was conducted by West Kameng Honorary Wildlife Warden Dr Lobsang Tashi, who familiarised students with the clouded leopard’s ecology, behaviour, habitat, identification and ecological importance. He also highlighted the crucial role of local communities in protecting forests and conserving wildlife. Emphasising the importance of indigenous knowledge, community representative N D Khrimey shared local folktales associated with small wild cats, while Ledo Thungon spoke about community-led efforts to conserve Shergaon’s forests and wildlife. He encouraged students to become responsible custodians of the region’s rich natural heritage. During another session, Suranjita Roy demonstrated how camera traps are used to monitor clouded leopards and other wildlife, highlighting ongoing conservation initiatives and the importance of community participation in wildlife monitoring. Following a post-assessment, students participated in an art and craft activity, creating sculptures and artwork inspired by the clouded leopard and other wild animals to reinforce the day’s conservation messages. The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to participants and a vote of thanks by the organisers. The event underscored the importance of conserving the clouded leopard while encouraging students and local communities to play an active role in protecting the region’s forests and wildlife.    

NAMSAI : Namsai Police arrested four persons, including an alleged habitual drug peddler, during an anti-drug operation near the Circuit House here on Monday evening and seized suspected heroin, cash believed to be proceeds of drug trafficking and other incriminating articles. Acting on specific information, a police team led by Namsai Sub-Divisional Police Officer Kengo Dirchi, assisted by Inspector T Gadi, Sub-Inspector Sanjay Kumar and other personnel, conducted the operation with support from the All Namsai Area Youth Association (ANAYA). The arrested persons have been identified as Chow Nakalan Mein (40) of Jenglai under Piyong Circle, Gopal Chetry (40) of Piyong Circle, Suresh Gour (37) of Piyong Adivasi Village and Janu Urang (28) of Piyong Adivasi Village. Police stated that Chow Nakalan Mein is a habitual drug peddler who had previously been arrested in three cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. After completing the mandatory legal formalities under the NDPS Act, 1985, the police recovered 60 grams (gross) and 9 grams (net) of suspected heroin, ₹61,440 suspected to be proceeds of drug trafficking, 20 disposable syringes, two lighters and other incriminating materials. All the seized articles were taken into custody in the presence of independent witnesses. A case has been registered under Sections 21(b), 27A and 29 of the NDPS Act, and all four accused have been arrested. Police said further investigation is underway to trace the source of the contraband, follow the financial trail and identify other persons linked to the alleged drug trafficking network. The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of Namsai Superintendent of Police Sangey Thinley. Reaffirming its commitment to combating drug trafficking, Namsai Police appealed to the public to share credible information about narcotics-related activities, assuring complete confidentiality of informants.    

RONO HILLS : The Rajiv Gandhi University Teachers’ Association (RGUTA) on Tuesday organised a welcome programme for the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Prof. Shivaraj, at the university campus. Prof. Shivaraj, an alumnus of Osmania University, completed his Master’s degree in 1983 and earned his Ph.D. in 1989. He served the university for 34 years, joining as an Assistant Professor in 1986 and later serving as a Professor for 15 years before retiring in September 2020. In 2018, he received the Telangana Government’s Best Teacher Award for his contribution to higher education. The programme began with the felicitation of the Vice-Chancellor, followed by an interactive session during which faculty members shared their expectations and raised issues concerning the university. Welcoming the new Vice-Chancellor, RGUTA President Prof. Tage Rupa Sora expressed confidence that his leadership would bring renewed optimism, fresh perspectives and a shared vision for the university’s growth. She said Rajiv Gandhi University’s achievements were the result of the collective efforts of its teachers, non-teaching staff, researchers, students and alumni, and noted that RGUTA had consistently worked not only for teachers’ welfare but also for the overall development of the institution. Expressing hope for the future, she said the university under Prof. Shivaraj’s leadership should continue to promote merit, innovation, research, participatory governance and an inclusive academic environment. During the interaction, faculty members raised several issues, including implementation of pension schemes on par with Central Government norms, the pending Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) process, salary enhancement and equal treatment of faculty members. Concerns relating to campus infrastructure and other administrative matters were also discussed. Responding to the issues, Prof. Shivaraj said his experience in university administration and teachers’ associations had given him a clear understanding of faculty concerns and assured that sincere efforts would be made to address them. He informed the gathering that the CAS process had already been initiated and that recruitment under the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) would begin at the earliest. He also assured that the university would work to resolve longstanding issues, including water supply and space constraints on the campus. Emphasising the role of teachers, Prof. Shivaraj said the true strength of any educational institution lies in its teaching community, which plays a vital role in shaping responsible and competent citizens. Highlighting the importance of research, he described it as the backbone of a university and called for multidisciplinary research that addresses local challenges while maintaining national and international relevance. Referring to Arunachal Pradesh’s rich biodiversity and natural resources, he encouraged departments to undertake collaborative research projects that would benefit society and enhance the university’s academic standing.    

YACHULI : The Keyi Panyor district unit of the Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) on Tuesday handed over a cheque of ₹8 lakh to Keyi Panyor Deputy Commissioner Ankita Mishra to support the relief and rehabilitation of families affected by the recent flash floods in the district. The six-member delegation, led by CoSAAP Keyi Panyor President Er Toko Lento and General Secretary Chukhu Epa, presented the cheque at the District Secretariat Building here. The amount, raised through voluntary contributions from government employees and well-wishers, will be used to assist families affected by the flash floods in Possa, NEEPCO Colony and adjoining areas. The district unit expressed gratitude to the CoSAAP Central Executive Committee led by Likha Tech and the federating district units of Namsai, Papum Pare, Lohit, Leparada and East Siang for their contributions and support in the humanitarian initiative. It also acknowledged the voluntary contributions made by government employees across Keyi Panyor district, stating that their collective support reflected compassion, solidarity and a strong sense of public service during the crisis. Receiving the cheque, Keyi Panyor DC Ankita Mishra appreciated the initiative and assured that the relief fund would be utilised in a transparent and judicious manner for the welfare, relief and rehabilitation of genuine flood-affected families. Reaffirming its commitment to public service, the association thanked all donors and supporting organisations for standing with the affected communities, stating that the collective effort exemplified the spirit of unity, compassion and humanitarian service in times of adversity. (DIPR)