Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, SEPTEMBER 20
“TAKE it as your bounden duty to provide quality service to the people by exhibiting yourself the best ability of work culture that is in you. That way you are giving your best to the government and to the people,” said minister for Forest & Border Affairs Y Patton during the inauguration of the New Conservator of Forest (Northern Territorial Circle) Office Complex on September 20 at Marepkong, in Mokokchung.
Addressing the gathering, Y Patton has termed it as ‘a red letter day’ for the department of Forest, Environment, Ecology & Wildlife in particularly and the people of Mokokchung district in general as the new and prominent building is commissioned in the service of the people. Stating that the office of Conservator of Forest (NTC) was established and made functional at Kohima since the year 1993 till date, the minister said the office will be made functional in Marepkong with immediate effect.
The Conservator of Forest Office (NTC) will look after the activities of Mon, Tuensang, Kipheri, Longleng and Zunheboto and Mokokchung Division. The minister was optimistic that the functioning of the circle office will definitely improvise developmental activities of the department to greater extend.
Y Patton also said that Nagaland has witnessed maximum developmental activities in all fronts where infrastructural development is no exception during the successive governance of the DAN government under the able leadership of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio and the NPF party president Shurhozelie. He has credited the people of Nagaland for making all the happening development in motion by giving popular mandate to NPF led DAN Government for third consecutive term.
“Government is generous enough to provide all basic infrastructures as required by the department but mere availability of required infrastructure alone will not be sufficient and serve its real purpose unless the departmental staff who are manning the building understand the main objectives of having these facilities,” the minister counseled. He has appealed the staff to serve with dedication and sincerity for the welfare of the people and not let the government serve them.
The minister also appreciated the people of Ungma and the Mokokchung district in general for genuinely parting a sizeable plot of land measuring 10.9 acres without which the development of infrastructure would not have happened in reality. Additionally he stated, “I really appreciate my Congress colleague MLA Imtikumzuk for his concern of the people and the area and as I had assured him on the floor of the State Assembly I am fulfilling my commitment today.”
L Kire, Commissioner & SecretaryForest, while delivering a short speech, said that there should be no sense of land encroachment as in the Tuli Paper Mill which he described is “good example of the tribe.” He also called upon the people to cooperate and undertake further development in hand with the government. He further stated that it is important to give awareness on environment and livelihood aspect of eco-tourism.
M Lokeswara Rao, PCCF & HOFF, expressed that Nagaland has a unique type of forest management as compared to the rest of the world. He has, however, rued on the negative international publicity in recent years over killing of Amur Falcons in Nagaland. He said it is time to change from negativity to positivity and continue to cooperate with the department on conservation programmes.
The inaugural function was attended by MLA Imtikumzuk, Superintendent of Police P Tripathi, Additional PCCF Territorial, Dr. K Kire, CF (STC) along with District Administration lead by DC Mokokchung, DFO, and members of Village Council Ungma.
