Morung Express News Mongsenyimti | June 5 Coinciding with the World Environment Day, a weeklong angling festival organized by Meyilenden Valley Fishery Welfare Society (MVFWS) in collaboration with Anglers Association Mokokchung (AAM) was formally kick-started by AMM Executive Member, Dr. Takosunep, MO Chest & TB Hospital, Mokokchung here today at Nanung dam lake. The fresh water Nanung dam lake which is approximately 500 sq/meters in size is home to varieties of fresh water river fishes. It is located some 24 kilometers away from Mokokchung town and 2 ½ kilometers from the National Highway 61. The lake is looked after by the MVFWS of Mongsenyimti village. Dr Takosunep, who is an avid angler, expressed happiness to the Mongsenyimti village and the MVFWS for organizing the angling festival. Angling, he said, is a very eco-friendly sport which is sustainable and should be encouraged in the society. While pointing out that Nagaland has abundance of God given natural flora and fauna, Dr. Takosunep lamented that the Naga people do not know how to exploit the natural resources in a sustainable manner. He strongly denounced the use of dynamites, chemicals and batteries etc for fishing and said that such practices are not only unsustainable but also have long term effects on the biodiversity. In this connection, he urged upon all the anglers to be ambassadors in propagating eco-friendly fishing practices and against the use of dynamites, batteries, chemicals in the river and other water bodies. Speaking on behalf of the Mongsenyimti village, a ‘Putu Menden’ leader expressed happiness at the development activities at the Nanung river area. He urged the land owners to be conscientious and continue to work hand in hand with the government agencies so that the Nanung river area would one day become a tourist destination in Nagaland. The programme was chaired by the MVFWS chairman, Sentitongzuk Pongen, while the Mongsenyimti Compound Baptist Church pastor invoked God’s blessings. The angling festival will continue the whole week and many angling enthusiasts from Mokokchung and other districts are expected to join in the festival.