CM inaugurates recreation centre in Dimapur

Highlights need for recreation centres, local market places

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, JAN 21 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio highlighted the need for more public recreational centres in Nagaland where people can spend time with family and friends to make people more civilised through changing their mindset.

Speaking at the inauguration of Public Recreational Centre (PRC) at Green Park, State Horticulture Nursery (SHN) here on Thursday, Rio also stressed on the need to have a “healthy society” and suggested opening of more parks for the benefit of society.

Appreciating the Horticulture department for constructing the much desired park for the public, Rio said that PRC was centrally located and hoped that people would spare time from their busy schedule to visit the centre and spend quality time with their friends and families, away from the hustle and bustle of the town, which has become “concrete jungle”, replete with congestion and pollution.

He hoped the centre would help people in unwinding and rejuvenating themselves. Rio proposed that Green Park should not be confined for the department alone, but should also be opened to public for recreational activities, jogging and even for small meetings and get-togethers. He said opening of such recreational centres would make a difference to the Naga society.

Rio informed the gathering about his decision to open one public park each at Dimapur and Chümoukedima. He also informed that three places in Kohima would be converted into public parks at- Old Zoo in Ministers Hill , Nagaland University Campus at Meriema and Thizama Fishery Complex.

In a bid to encourage local entrepreneurs to setup markets in their respective localities, Rio also stressed on the need to open more community-centric markets which would not only make it convenient for shoppers but also ease the congestions in the main town areas.

For this, he asked deputy commissioners, administrative officials and village leaders to identify areas to setup local market places for essential commodities in their respective jurisdictions and also to have common facilities for weddings and meetings etc.

In his speech, horticulture and border affairs adviser Mhathung Yanthan pointed out that horticulture was only not about fruits and vegetables, but also about beauty and aesthetics which, according to him, were intricately linked to recreation, health and better living.

He said it was chief minister’s idea to convert open spaces into recreational centres, for which he earmarked funds. He claimed that formation of bamboo, honey and bio-resource missions, all of which were farm related, were initiated by Rio.

“Because of his initiations, the missions were now standing tall, benefitting people,” he added.

Stating that many government department lands had fallen in the hands of land grabbers, Yanthan urged the departments to protect and make best use of their land, while appealing to leaders of neighbouring villages to continue to supporting and cooperating with department officials in protecting lands.

Estimating that the horticulture department had around 15 to 20 percent of its total land area (30 hectares) as water bodies, he stressed that this should be maintained to support aquatic ecosystem, where activities like boating, rowing etc, could be carried out, thereby generating revenue and employment opportunities. He urged the department to come up with plans in this regard.

He also stressed on scaling up and improving the current facilities so as to increase revenue generation.

The adviser advised that adaptive trials and research of tropical and sub-tropical crops should be done at the department itself before sending these to farmers. He stressed introduction of modern farming technology to minimise labour cost and maximise profit.

Delivering a brief speech on the occasion, horticulture director and mission director of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Dr R Elithung Lotha said the department’s lands were under the possession of land grabbers, adding that 297 encroachers had constructed houses on the department’s land. However, with the active support of the State government and intervention of the district administration, the land was saved from the encroachers, he added.

He said the guest house required an upgrade and suggested construction of new building to host guests coming from outside, while requesting the State government to look into the matter.

Pointing to lack of security and low boundary walls, Lotha said the department needed proper walls to protect government property, adding that the existing fence was erected in 1988.

He also informed that Green Park would be opened for public from January 22 (6 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Other dignitaries who attended the inaugural programme included rural development minister Metsubo Jamir, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak, commissioner of police, DPRO officials and departmental staff.

Earlier, horticulture department’s commissioner & secretary Anenla T Sato delivered the welcome address and also chaired the programme, while Sunep Lemtur presented a special number and horticulture officer and SHN officer in charge Alemtemsu, delivered the vote of thanks.

It may be noted that PRC would remain open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. during summer season and from 6 am to 6 p.m. during the winter free entry in January. He said later the department will revise the membership and entre fees.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/cm-inaugurates-recreation-centre-in-dimapur/227594.html