State News

ITANAGAR, Arunachal Pradesh State Medicinal Plants Board (APSMPB) chairman Goruk Pordung inaugurated the “Charaka Conference Hall” at the board’s premises in Chimpu near here on Thursday. Named after Acharya Charaka, regarded as the father of Ayurveda, the newly established conference hall has been created as a dedicated facility for the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The hall is expected to serve as a key venue for deliberations, training programmes, workshops, capacity-building initiatives and meetings related to medicinal plants, traditional healthcare systems, biodiversity conservation and allied sectors. Speaking on the occasion, Pordung stressed the need to promote traditional medicinal knowledge and strengthen institutional infrastructure for conservation and sustainable utilisation of medicinal plants in the state. Later, the 10th General Body Meeting of APSMPB was held under the chairmanship of Pordung. The meeting discussed various agenda items related to the board’s activities, achievements and future roadmap for promotion, conservation, cultivation and value addition of medicinal plants in Arunachal Pradesh. Senior officials from the departments of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Health, Industries, Agriculture and Horticulture, along with representatives from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), non-governmental organisations and APSMPB officials attended the programme.  

TUTING, Residents of four villages in Upper Siang district on Thursday signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) supporting the pre-feasibility report (PFR) survey activities of the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) during a programme held at Tuting. Altogether 127 families from Ningging, Singging, Angging and Rising villages extended their consent for the PFR activities in the presence of more than 300 people attending the programme. The MoUs were signed between Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Talo Jerang, representing the state government, and village representatives Rikdu Yalik of Ningging, Momok Lipir of Singging, Olom Sitek of Angging and Oni Tondrang of Rising village. Among those present were MLA of Tuting-Yingkiong constituency and Advisor to the Chief Minister Alo Libang, hydro power development chief engineer K Perme, state nodal officer (SUMP) Atek Miyu, among others. Libang appreciated the public response and urged people to continue supporting developmental initiatives in the region. The deputy commissioner clarified issues related to the survey works and said the large public participation reflected a changing mindset towards development and progress. “This shows that our people are gradually embracing a progressive mindset, which will go a long way in transforming the lives of the people,” he said. Jerang also assured that transparency and accountability were being maintained throughout the process and appealed to the public to remain cooperative and positive. He said the district administration travelled to Tuting to facilitate the signing process despite adverse weather conditions and road blockades for the convenience of villagers. The proposed SUMP is considered strategically and economically important for the region, with potential benefits including hydropower generation, flood moderation, water resource management and infrastructure development. The PFR survey is a crucial preliminary step aimed at assessing the technical, environmental and socio-economic feasibility of the mega project before further stages of planning and execution. (Source: PTI)  

TAWANG, Arunachal Pradesh Cultural Affairs minister Dasanglu Pul on Thursday said women-led rural tourism could become a powerful medium for promoting cultural exchange, sustainable development and regional cooperation across the Himalayan Buddhist belt. Addressing a regional workshop on “Development of the Buddhist Circuit in Northeast India” in Tawang, Pul praised the initiative aimed at linking Buddhist centres in Northeast India with neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka through a women-led rural tourism model. The workshop brought together delegates from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Assam and Sikkim, with discussions centred on strengthening regional cooperation and promoting sustainable tourism rooted in shared Buddhist heritage. Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s tourism potential, Pul said the state, often referred to as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is home to several important spiritual destinations, including Tawang, Mechukha and the Golden Pagoda in Namsai. She said women in rural and tribal communities have traditionally played a key role in preserving oral traditions, handicrafts, indigenous cuisines, festivals and rituals, adding that involving them in tourism initiatives would not only help preserve cultural heritage but also create livelihood opportunities and empower local communities. Pul said the state government is committed to supporting working women through skill development, micro-financing, infrastructure development and digital promotion of local experiences. She also underlined the need for stronger tourism and cultural linkages with neighbouring Buddhist nations to boost international tourism and deepen people-to-people ties. The workshop featured speeches by representatives from participating countries, along with technical sessions on regional cooperation, connectivity, branding and the role of women-led rural tourism. Deliberations were also held on identifying key Buddhist heritage sites across the region. Officials described the workshop as an important step towards enhancing regional collaboration and unlocking the tourism potential of Northeast India through inclusive and sustainable development models.  

ITANAGAR, Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said his government was exploring collaborations with global streaming platforms to promote indigenous talent to help youth build sustainable careers in the entertainment industry. Chairing a high-level review meeting with organisers of premier state events, he said cultural platforms must evolve beyond annual competitions and provide participants with clear pathways to professional opportunities in music, fashion, media and performing arts. “Our goal is to ensure that every event moves beyond being a standalone competition and instead evolves into a structured talent pipeline. We are not just looking for performers; we are building careers,” he said. The meeting focused on six flagship state platforms, Miss Arunachal, Mr & Mrs Arunachal, Arunachal’s Got Talent, Arunachal Super Dance, and Arunachal Idol, an official statement said. To strengthen institutional support for the sector, Khandu announced that the Creative Economy Cell within the Chief Minister’s Office would be reinforced to facilitate industry linkages and career progression for local talent. He said the government was also exploring strategic collaborations with global digital platforms, including Spotify, to help emerging singers from the state reach wider audiences. “We want the world to engage with and appreciate our indigenous music, art and cultural expressions,” Khandu said. Citing the Ziro Festival of Music as a successful model for promoting independent musicians, he assured the meeting of continued government support for similar initiatives. In another major decision, the chief minister said his government was finalising a fresh agreement with organisers of the six major events to extend their term for five years under the official state calendar. The meeting also reviewed the growth of technical expertise within the state’s creative ecosystem. “The creative economy is emerging as a powerful pillar of growth in Arunachal Pradesh. We are seeing a shift where our youth and women are not just performers, but entrepreneurs, evolving from singers into composers and from models into fashion designers,” Khandu said. The initiative is being implemented under the Arunachal Pradesh Regulatory Board of State Events, chaired by Mallo Attu, which will oversee the new standards aimed at strengthening the state’s presence in the national entertainment and Bollywood circuits. (Source: PTI)

ITANAGAR, A high-level delegation from Arunachal Pradesh visited the honey processing centre at Bodla under the District Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Union, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, on May 5 to study its operations and processing mechanism. The delegation included Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation Limited chairman Nalong Mize, Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, APFCL vice chairman TG Baki and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force P. Subramanyam. The visiting team was welcomed by Kawardha Divisional Forest Officer Nikhil Agrawal, following which they were taken on a detailed tour of the honey processing centre. During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the entire process of honey production, including raw material collection, testing, storage, processing, packaging, labelling and marketing. The delegation appreciated the dedication and efforts of the staff and group members working at the centre. As part of the visit, Arunachal Pradesh Forest Corporation Limited also provided an incentive of Rs 10,000 to encourage the workers. Deputy Managing Director of District Union Kawardha Kirtivardhan Sukhdeve, Testing Officer Viplav Borakar, Processing Association manager Shoaib Khan, manager Kuldeep Patel and other staff members were also present during the programme.

Mingkeng Osik REBO PERGING, Residents of Rebo Perging successfully rebuilt the log bridge over the Ribung River at Komsing village through a community-driven self-help initiative carried out on May 4 and 5 under the leadership of Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) Nonong Jamoh. The bridge, considered a crucial lifeline for nearby villages and commuters, was reconstructed entirely through public contribution and voluntary labour. To improve durability during the monsoon season, the height of the bridge was raised by nearly two metres, as the earlier structure was frequently damaged and washed away during heavy rains every year. Expressing appreciation over the overwhelming public participation, Siang ZPM Nonong Jamoh said villagers responded wholeheartedly to the appeal for reconstruction work and worked collectively to complete the project successfully. He said the newly rebuilt bridge is expected to maintain connectivity during the upcoming rainy season, but stressed the urgent need for construction of a permanent reinforced cement concrete (RCC) bridge for long-term public safety and convenience. Jamoh informed that discussions regarding the proposed RCC bridge have already been held with officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), and proposal papers have been forwarded for approval. He further stated that Minister Ojing Tasing would soon be apprised of the matter and requested to facilitate early sanction of the permanent bridge project. The community also expressed gratitude to all Gaon Burahs (GBs), elders and youths for their active participation in the reconstruction work. Special appreciation was extended to Taging Taga for providing a Poclain machine for the initiative, while acknowledgment was also given to GPCs Tapang Yodang, Tangak Taki, Inyo Taki and Luk Gao, along with all Gram Panchayat Members (GPMs), for coordinating the successful community effort. Villagers expressed hope that the reconstructed bridge would withstand the forthcoming monsoon season and continue ensuring uninterrupted connectivity in the region.