Kiphire, March 7 (MExN): The Anglers Association of Nagaland (AAN) successfully organized and completed a two day River Angling Festival at Tizu River, Moya Village, Pungro Sub-Division, Kiphire District on March 2 and 3.
A press release issued by AAN, General Secretary, Ricky Ozukum informed that the Angling Festival was held in collaboration with the District Administration, Pungro and Moya Village Council. The aim of the festival was to create a much needed awareness to conserve and protect the Tizu River ecosystem, promote angling as a sport and a recreational activity and also to promote the area as an eco-tourism hub of the state.
The festival received a very enthusiastic response from anglers, Moya villagers and villages surrounding the Tizu River. More than 400 people, besides anglers came to witness the festival.
The festival also witnessed folk songs, skit, dances, and traditional archery event and as the evening arrives, the bonfire burned long into the night.
As a part of the Tizu River Angling Festival, a fishing competition was held with total prize money of 1 lakh sponsored by the chief guest plus gift hampers from festival sponsors. However, no participant could catch the minimum required size fish for the prize due to which the prize will be kept for the next upcoming AAN event. Around 45 participants competed for the said prize.
‘Stop rampant exploitation of natural resources’
S. Bhattacharya, Director, NEC Energy Power, Pvt. Ltd as the chief guest called upon the various stakeholders of Tizu River to conserve and protect the river and stressed on sustainability and stopping of rampant exploitation of natural resources.
Impressed with the response and potential of the place for eco tourism, S. Bhattacharya, Director, NEC Energy Power, Pvt. Ltd also announced to construct a 10 room guest house with 5 star facilities and local traditional ambiance.
Chonpenthung Ezung, SDO(C) spoke about the uniqueness and potentiality of the area as an Eco-Tourism hub and seek the co-operation of all stakeholders.
Other speakers included the Chairman, Moya Village, Head GB Moya village, Chairman GB Association, Pungro Division, Pungro Public Forum President and Yimchunger Tribal Council President. They assured that that they will do everything to preserve and protect the river and its eco systems.
The District Administration was led by S. Chonpenthung Ezung, SDO(C), Pungro. Other guests include the Moya Village Council led by its Chairman, Moya Village Head GB, Chairman GB Assn. Pungro Division, Pungro Public Forum President, Yimchunger Tribal Council President, SDO(C) Samuel Thyug, EAC Longmatra Wangam Phom, Commandant 7AR Kiphire Colonel Aditya Verma and various other delegates from the Tizu River surrounding villages attended the festival.
70 year old angler from Scotland
The Tizu River Angling Festival saw its first participant from a foreign country with Derek Mackay, a 70 year old angling enthusiast from Scotland, attending the festival. Anglers from within the state, Karnataka and Assam too participated in the festival. Mementos, Certificates and cool angling gift hampers from the sponsors, were distributed to all participants.
Derek Mackay, from Scotland, pretty sums up about the festival when he said “I am 70 years old and have fished and travelled around the world, but this is by far my best experience, the welcome, the hospitality and the experience I had during the past 2 days is the best and I will always treasure it.”
About Tizu River
The Tizu River is one of the major rivers of Nagaland and a unique river in itself. Unlike most rivers, the Tizu originates from the state, flows into Myanmar, joins the Chindwin and then the Irrawaddy instead of the Brahmaputra. This river is a home to the Mahseers and mountain trout besides the many other fish species found in the river.
The Tizu River and the surrounding area were a sight to behold. It got its unique topography, from the crystal clear water, rocky mountains, pine trees on the mountain tops, unique tall bamboos which lines the river bank to the wild palms which grows across the slopes and the migratory wild geese/duck making a fly pass along Tizu River every few minutes.
