Morung Express News
Kiphire | July 13
The Department of Land Resources Kiphire today handed over the Watershed Development Fund (WDF) to eleven villages under IWMP-III, Badge-II during the culmination programme held at Hopongkyu Memorial Hall with Sedevikho Khro, Deputy Commissioner as chief guest. It was attended by officers, civil societies, well wishers, SHGs and farmers from the eleven villages.
Speaking at the function, the DC said, “Over the past one year of my posting I have not seen any other department as vibrant and active as the Land Resource Department” and lauded the department for uplifting the livelihood of the villagers and encouraged the department to do the same.
Giving his assurance to give all possible help for the welfare of the farmers and the grass root people, the DC also asked the department to teach them “how to stand on one’s own feet and not to depend on others for survival.” The DC also advised the department to teach the villagers “how to fish and not how to eat the fish” and added that the state of Nagaland is 53 years but we are still depending on central government for assistance. “It is time to wake up and see as to what we can do together collectively to stand on our feet and not to depend department or government all the time,” he added.
Feeling the need to preserve and manage the water resource, the DC stated that as the programme is Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP), it is the duty of every one to judiciously use resources like water because “if we don’t take care of this resource by now, it will be a big crisis.”
Handing over the WDF to villagers, the DC also encouraged the villagers to eat the fruit and not the seed and that many successful business men start their business with small amount. He asked the villagers to start small but with all sincerity and dedication.
Puvil Kikhi, Dy. Director and supervising officer LRD Kiphire who also spoke on the occasion highlighted the plan and policies of the department and also shared on the guidelines of the WDF as to how it has to be used in the village. K. Tsilise, Vice President USLP who also spoke on the occasion lauded the department and said, “This is the first time for me to witness the department inviting the villagers in a program and giving the cheque and pass book openly in a function” and appreciated the works the department.
He also asked the department not to extend help to villages in the district who have differences out of development and also assured his all possible support to the department for the up liftmen of the rural livelihood.
Ahozhe Sema, DPO, gave a power point presentation of the activities that the department had undertaken in the past five years. Longthonger SHG presented folk song. Best farmer, best SHG and VCC Phelungre village spoke on the occasion
The programme was followed by visiting the picture gallery cum exhibition stall put up by the department.
