Shillong: Governor Brigadier (Dr) B.D. Mishra (Retired) on Sunday called for according priority to environmental conservation efforts in Meghalaya.
Speaking in the 70th Plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC) chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Guwahati, Mishra highlighted the challenges of Meghalaya and said that climate change and anthropogenic conditions have put the State under severe strain.
Stating that since nearly 80 per cent of the State population is dependent on natural resources for sustaining varied forms of agri-based livelihoods, the Governor suggested giving priority to environmental conservation efforts.
Describing Meghalaya as a “land of immense opportunities and also resources challenges”, Mishra said, “Meghalaya, which is celebrating the 50th year of statehood, is committed to continuously improving the standards of living of its citizens and transforming Meghalaya among the top 10 States of the country by the end of the decade.”
Further, Mishra said that the North East region has undergone a huge transformation over the last few years.
This, he said, has largely been possible on the account of the immense hard work that has been put by the respective State governments and the high priority being accorded by the Government of India to the developmental needs and aspirations of the region.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Act East’ has given a major thrust to progress in the region, as a result of which various pending infrastructure projects are being taken up and completed on war-footing.
