Dimapur, Jan 28 (MExN): The Public Grievances Cell (PGC) Bhandari while reminding that the state Government had declared Bhandari area as an ‘Economically backward area’ in the year 1986 has lamented that till date no specific policy has so far been adopted by the government to improve the economy for the farmers particularly those living in the rural areas.
The PGC therefore strongly demanded that the said area be declared a ‘Horticulture Zone’ considering the fertility of the area and requested an economic package under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) culminating with the ‘Year of Farmers 2006’ to encourage community farming, according to Convener of the ell Mhonjan Lotha.
The cell also expressed serious concern at the presence of wild elephants, numbering about 50 to 60 in and around Baghty Valley under Bhandari sub-division.
According to the Convener, the cell has already surveyed the infested areas and has established facts regarding the problem and in this regard appealed to the Chief Minister for intervention to alleviate the difficulties face by the villagers due to the marauding pachyderms.
The Cell also expressed gratitude to the wild Life Department for proposing to set up Wildlife Inspector’s post at Bhandari to monitor the monitor the elephant infested areas. It requested the concerned department to expedite the process. It also expressed gratefulness to Kaito Sema, Parliamentary secretary for visiting the proposed ‘Eco-adventure sports and Cultural Tourism Spot at the governor’s Camp on January 20.
