Buses bolster Shillong fleet

Shillong, Sep 1 : More buses under the flagship Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM) have arrived in the city whose residents have been enjoying the ride under the first organised public transport system.

Since July 22, when the JNNURM buses were officially commissioned, people in Shillong and those on its outskirts have been utilising the maroon minibuses for commuting.

The fleet of 40 buses has come as a big relief for the commuters who often face arrogance of the cab drivers.

From July 22 till Sunday, the Shillong Public Transport Service, a special cell of the Meghalaya Transport Corporation which is operating the buses, has been able to accumulate around Rs 28 lakh as revenue.

In July, a memorandum of understanding was also signed between the transport department and the urban affairs department on the operation of these buses.

July 22 could have been a “turning point” for the harassed commuters as the maroon buses were pressed into service which was seen as a precursor to a comfortable public transport system, an amenity Shillong has been deprived of for years.

Till date, the Shillong Public Transport Service has been running a fleet of 40 buses. Another 10 such minibuses have already arrived in the city and those will be soon put into operation. It is also expecting 10 big buses by October and these will be used to ferry passengers to the outskirts.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Meghalaya Transport Corporation assistant general manager (operations) Anthony Pariat said: “We are satisfied with the performance of the buses ever since they were commissioned last month. There is, however, no room for complacency and we are hopeful of being able to improve the service.”

He said the complaints from passengers of conductors not providing them tickets have dwindled to a large extent. “The conductors are now more equipped to deal with the ticket machine. We are also pleased that the money which comes in on a daily basis is more or less up to our expectations.”

Pariat said the buses bring in around Rs 80,000 per day, but the Shillong Public Transport Service’s expectation is to generate Rs 1 lakh.

Pariat said smart cards would soon be introduced for regular passengers. Citing an example, he said in the near future, people can buy a smart card and travel in a bus for the whole month.

Pariat said the conductors would first have to be trained to be able to apply the smart card system. Installation of the global positioning system in the buses to monitor their movement will be taken up at a later stage, he said.

On the 10 new minibuses that have arrived, Pariat said the Shillong Public Transport Service was yet to decide on the routes which the buses will ply. He said the 10 big buses which were expected to arrive before October will ply only on the outskirts to avoid congestion in the city.

The Shillong Public Transport Service, Pariat said, has a huge challenge before it to make the system sustainable as the citizens have been yearning for a functional public transport service.

Earlier this month, urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said performance of the buses would be analysed after a period of 90 days beginning from July 22.

Fishing much more than a hobby in Meghalaya

Shillong, Aug 29 (ANI): Fishing is no more just a recreational activity in Meghalaya, but has transformed into a popular annual sporting event that draws huge crowds from each and every part of the state.

Recently, over 1000 anglers including women, children and men gathered at the Thadlaskein Lake near Jowai in Jaintia Hills to participate in the sixth edition of the Sajar Nangli Fishing Festival in Meghalaya.

Enthusiastic anglers shelled out an entry fee of Rs. 1500 to participate in the event and competed for the bumper prize of Rs 5 lakh.

"We have heard about this competition earlier and it sounded very exciting. I am very impressed with the number of the participants and it is really exciting. Khasi love fishing. All together this was a good experience," said Tredip, a visitor

"Fish is one of the important items in our daily life at the same time people can rear fish at their own house and can sell it in the market and it will help improve their living standards," said S K Lato, promoter.

Currently fish consumption in Meghalaya is around thirty-three thousand metric tons a year whereas production is only seven thousand MT.

The Meghalaya government is planning to launch an aqua culture mission next year and has allocated Rs 37.40 crore under the Special Plan Assistance in 2010-11.

Both state and central governments are also regularly organizing fairs to promote commercialization of fisheries among the locals in the region and spread awareness on the modern methods of cultivating fish. (ANI)

Meghalaya village to fight back Bangla marauders

Raju Das

SHILLONG, Aug 30 – Rejecting an informal compensation offer from Bangladesh authorities for the attack on a villager, an Indian village near the International border has unanimously resolved to protect themselves from Bangladeshi marauders with their licensed guns.

The largely prosperous village, Lapalang, has about 380 households, mostly betelnut and broom stick planters. However, Bangladeshi marauders have been a constant irritant as the village produce get stolen routinely.

Most of the villagers of Lapalang have licensed guns. The plantations are guarded day and night. The villagers have these concealed platforms on trees which they liken as “tree bunkers” where villagers sit in shifts and laboriously guard the plantations.

Last week, however, one villager was grievously attacked by Bangladeshi marauders near the village on the International border. The attack followed the shooting down of two Bangladeshis by the Indian villagers.

After the attack on the Indian villager, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh held a flag meeting, but before that BSF approached the Lapalang villagers with an informal compensation offer from the Bangladeshi side for the attacked victim.

Not only did the villagers reject the compensation, they also resolved to fight back and said there won’t be peace if the Bangladeshis continue to indulge in theft of their produce.

“We don’t want compensation, but security. Henceforth, we would do what is needed to protect our village and plantations,” Oberness Marsynting, village head of Lapalang said.

In fact, the villagers are also cross with the BSF for their less than enthusiastic security in the area. They also allege harassment and illegal collection of village produce by the BSF.

Meanwhile, efforts are on to bring peace on both sides of the International border by the Indian and Bangladeshi authorities.

New Article on Effectiveness of Community Managed Forests

A new article published in the forthcoming issue of Forestry Ecology & Management assesses the role and conservation effectiveness of protected and community managed forests in the long-term maintenance of forest cover in the tropics. With authors from Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain, the meta-analysis compares land use and land cover change data from peer-reviewed case studies on 40 protected areas and 33 community managed forests. The study found that community managed forests presented lower and less variable annual deforestation rates than protected forests, which backs up other recent challenges to the long-held belief that the best way to conserve forests is to set them aside in strictly protected areas. The authors propose that "a more resilient and robust forest conservation strategy should encompass a regional vision with different land use types in which social and economic needs of local inhabitants, as well as tenure rights and local capacities, are recognized."

Overall, the paper suggests that community-managed forests could be a cost-efficient and effective solution to reducing deforestation and ensuring the sustainable use of forests while benefiting local livelihoods. It also underscores earlier findings by other scientists that show that greater rule-making autonomy at the local level are associated with better forest management and livelihood benefits. The full text of the article can be downloaded here.

UCT Seminar on Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights

Pelargonium. Copyright: African Centre

for Biosafety

On the 26th of August, the Law, Race and Gender Research Unit of the University of Cape Town (UCT) held a seminar on “Traditional knowledge, intellectual property rights power and benefit sharing: case studies/evidence from pelargonium, rooibos and hoodia.” Natural Justice and the African Centre for Biosafety were invited to attend the series and present on their work with African Indigenous peoples and local communities.

Gino Cocchiaro (Natural Justice) presented on the South African Rooibos–Nestle and San-Hoodia case studies. During his presentation, Gino also highlighted how biocultural community protocols have been used by some communities in Africa, Asia and South America to convey their ways of life, values, and customary laws to third parties and challenge the fragmentary nature of state law and incorporate community integrated perspectives.

Mariam Mayet, Director of the African Centre for Biosafety, presented on her work with communities in South Africa to oppose and eventually defeat an attempt by German pharmaceutical giant Schwabe to file patents over the use of pelargonium for the treatment of coughs and Tuberculosis without obtaining the consent of the communities who are the holders of the traditional medicinal knowledge of pelargonium.

Following the presentation and discussion with members of the University of Cape Town, Natural Justice met with the Legal Resource Centre, the African Centre for Biosafety, and the Law, Race and Gender Research Unit to discuss how South African communities could protect their traditional knowledge in relation to the use of pelargonium.

New Article on the Convention on Biological Diversity

A new article by Elisa Morgera (University of Edinburgh) and Elsa Tsioumani (International Institute for Sustainable Development) explores the evolution of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its current legal significance, as well as legal issues related to its immediate future. Entitled "Today and Tomorrow: Looking Afresh at the Convention on Biological Diversity", the article assesses progress in the development and implementation of the CBD at the level of both international cooperation and national implementation, focusing on strategic planning, the innovations of the Nagoya Protocol, the relationship between funding and implementation, and compliance. It is part of the University of Edinburgh School of Law Working Paper Series and will be published in the 2011 Yearbook of International Environmental Law. The full text can be freely downloaded here.

IAF road construction work halted by villagers

SHILLONG, Aug 26 – Villagers led by Nonkrem constituency legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit today halted the road construction work being carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) near Upper Shillong, claiming that the Public Works Department and not the IAF own the stretch of road.

“The IAF does not own this stretch of road and the construction of the road was being done to eventually put up obstacles for local villagers to go to their agricultural fields,” Basaiawmoit claimed.

The IAF, having its Eastern Command headquarters here, maintain that it owns the 1.5 km stretch of approach road leading to one of its stations near the Shillong Peak in Upper Shillong.

“The Station Commander wanted to widen the dilapidated road and also put up street lights. He has the necessary permission from East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, but due to protest the work was stopped,” an IAF officials said.

Basaiawmoit, the local legislator, has been demanding from time to time that the IAF should remove all barricades in the area. He says such barricades on the road cause harassment to the local villagers.

Church leader lends support to Anna

SHILLONG, Aug 25 – The fight against corruption, spearheaded by Anna Hazare, has been sanctified by a Church leader in Meghalaya who said “political education to elect clean leaders must go hand in hand with spiritual teachings.” Taking part in the rally to support Anna Hazare’s nine-day indefinite fast against corruption, Reverend K Pyrtuh of the Presbyterian Church here said: “the Church and all religious groups must lay more emphasis on educating people so that morally and spiritually clean leaders are elected to enter the hallowed precinct of democracy.” Asked about his motivation to join today’s rally, the Church leader said: “as a concerned citizen of India I am as troubled and saddened as others about the scourge of corruption in our country. As a member of the Church I am morally and spiritually inclined to take a stand against this sin (corruption).” The rally was taken out from Police Bazaar to Laitumkhrah and was attended by a cross section of the society. Right to Information activist, Michael Syiem, on the other hand, said, corruption in Meghalaya is endemic. “Look at the figures…the number of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in Meghalaya has increased from 49 per cent in 2001 to 66 per cent in 2011 despite all the welfare schemes,” he pointed out. Agnes Kharshiing, a women social activist, dismissing the government bill on corruption as “Jokepal” said, the Central Government must awaken to the fact that the people would not accept a bill which does not effectively address the menace of corruption.

Hundreds march for Hazare in Shillong

Shillong : Hundreds of people marched in this Meghalaya capital Wednesday in support of activist Anna Hazare. Carrying flags and holding placards, school students and social activists marched down the city roads to the Fire Brigade Ground, raising anti-government slogans. Hazare's supporters were also seen pinning badges on people and distributing pamphlets seeking their support for the ongoing agitation launched by India Against Corruption. "We want the government to root out corruption at all levels," said Mendalin Nongbri, a school student, in her first protest march. The protesters demanded immediate tabling of the Jan Lokpal bill in parliament. "People are facing the trauma of corruption at all levels and the government needs to take action against this disease by introducing the Jan Lokpal bill," said Agnes Kharshiing, a women's rights activist. Kharshiing, who is also the president of Civil Society Women's Organisation, said they will continue to fight jointly with Hazare till the Jan Lokpal bill is made law. Michael Syiem, the leader of Mait Shaphrang Movement, an organisation interested in generating a movement in "positive thinking", said: "We shall carry on with our demonstrations in support of Anna Hazare and for a corruption-free India."

Women welfare tops Meghalaya CM's agenda

SHILLONG: Chief minister Mukul Sangma has launched a programme to curb domestic violence against women, called 'Chalo gaon ki ore', in all the three districts of Meghalaya's Garo Hills. "Initiated by the National Commission for Women in association with the state social welfare department, the programme aims to empower and make women aware of the laws to fight domestic violence and safeguard their welfare," a government official said here on Tuesday. "It's imperative that the existing laws penalizing domestic violence be enforced in spirit and letter even in a matrilineal state like Meghalaya," Sangma told newspersons here. He admitted that though certain laws were enacted to safeguard the welfare of women, its enforcement was not significant. The CM said reports of domestic violence in the state were "distressing", but cautioned that the figures were not actual and could be more given the fact that "many such cases go unreported due to fear of stigmatization by society and other such related factors". He urged the police department to pit importance to such cases in future. Emphasizing the need to include men in sensitization programmes, Sangma said, "It's very important that the men are too involved in such programmes to ensure that the laws empowering women were not misused."He said empowering women - both in terms of education and economy - could reduce domestic violence in the region.

New Briefing on Pastoralism and Climate Change

The latest issue of Joto Afrika, a series of printed briefings and online resources about adapting to climate change in sub- Saharan Africa, focuses on "The Future of Pastoralism in a Changing Climate". Pastoralism, a free-range livestock production system, is practised in all of Africa’s dryland regions, and is the main source of food security and income for many communities. The future of pastoralism is threatened by the many manifestations and effects of climate change, including droughts, floods, more extreme weather events, invasive species and pests, and the failure of introduced exotic livestock breeds. This issue provides case studies of local knowledge in action across Africa, and success stories from research to showcase various ways of climate adaptation by pastoralists.

According to the editorial, key messages include: recognizing the multiple processes and stressors that govern pastoralists' vulnerability to climate change; protecting pastoral land and enhancing the mobility of pastoralists and their livestock; considering index-based livestock insurance schemes as one of the strategies for protecting livestock keepers against climate risks; and investing in building the capacity of livestock keepers to enhance skills and diversify enterprises and resource management.

Floods trigger epidemic fears in Meghalaya

Tura (Meghalaya) : Health authorities in flood-ravaged Garo Hills region of Meghalaya Monday said they feared an epidemic once the floodwaters recede if precautions are not taken. "We are apprehending that many water-borne diseases might break out in the flood-hit areas once the water-level starts receding in the next 10 to 15 days," Malti K. Marak, the district medical chief of West Garo Hills, told IANS. The medical department has also announced precautionary measures to check the outbreak of diseases. The floods have affected at least 30,000 people in Selsella, Phulbari, Dadenggiri, Rangsakona and Rajabala assembly constituencies. Two people have been killed in the floods. The flood waters also swept away livestock, foodgrain and houses, besides damaging standing crops, roads and bridges. "A mobile medical team had already visited the flood-affected areas and distributed ORS (oral rehydration solutions) and anti-diarrhoea medicines to the affected people," Marak said. According to medical experts, water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and gastroenteritis can break out if proper care is not taken by the state administration. "Post-flood is a critical period. People should boil food and water and above all should maintain cleanliness to avert any type of health hazard," said Marshal Lamare, a medical expert. Public Health Engineering (PHE) officials have also distributed chlorine tablets and bleaching powder to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases. "We are providing safe drinking water and other essential commodities in the form of rice, dal and salt to all the people in the affected areas," said Sanjay Goyal, the district magistrate of West Garo Hills. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma visited flood-affected areas Sunday. He repeatedly advised the affected families to drink boiled water and promised to construct hygienic bore- well for the affected families. Share

Flood causes damage to fisheries in Kalapani

HATSINGIMARI, Aug 20 – Due to incessant rains in Meghalaya for the last few days, devastating flood occurred in the entire Kalapani ZPC areas known as Purbanchal of South Salmara-Mankachar subdivision which caused heavy damage to the local people. The flood started suddenly on August 16 in the morning and 5 to 10 feet high waves of floods rolled towards Kalapani areas from the Meghalaya hills of Garobadha areas and smashed houses, trees, banks of fisheries, crops fields, bridges and roads. The waves of flood washed away most part of APS Road from Tangaon (Pahartoli) to Jangal Chariali along with approaches of most of the bridges on it. A number of houses along with property including rice, jute, domestic animals, etc., of Kumergati and Sadullabari areas were washed away within minutes. The flood caused maximum damage in the field of fishery. Due to the sudden flood, many fisheries full of big fishes were washed away by as their protection banks broke. It is assumed that only in the field of fisheries the damage has been valued at approximately Rs 10 crore. Moreover, most of the agricultural fields with standing sali rice, jute, vegetables etc., in the areas have been damaged by floods. On getting information, the SDO (C), Hatsingimari, S Biswanathan visited the flood- affected areas and deputed four speed boats and 15 trained volunteers of NDRF under the Natural Disaster Management, Dhubri district for the rescue works along with the panchayat level volunteers. The local administration ordered to provide relief to flood victims immediately.

Women join Anna Hazare campaign in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Women have joined the anti-corruption campaign launched by Anna Hazare in Meghalaya which is perhaps one of the few places in the world where women are not only held in high esteem but are also the heads of their families. In fact, children in this hill state take the surname of their mother, a feat unknown in the rest of the country. Nevertheless, women here, too, have to bear the brunt of 'male chauvinism' like their counterparts all over the globe. "Yes, we too are an exploited lot like our sisters elsewhere in terms of economy and most importantly in the political sphere," said a student at a city college. "Even in this modern era, there is no provision for representation of women in the traditional tribal grassroots administrative organizations, which are the basic decision-making bodies. Is this empowerment of women," she added. "Though the youngest daughter becomes the custodian of family property, she is not given a free hand as many would think," she said. "We, too, face corruption in its many facets in our day-to-day lives and we are determined to root this out," said a tribal girl from Nagaland, who is pursuing her studies in the Pine City. She has been taking active part in demonstrations supporting Anna. tnn Voicing protest against rampant corruption, president of Civil Society Women's Organization (CSWO) Agnes Kharshiing added, "Our organization urges all right thinking Parliamentarians to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill and not the Jokpal Bill made for the corrupt". Said Evangeline Thabah, the general secretary of the women's body, "This is the voice of people and parliamentarians are public servants. The CSWO will support Annaji and his team all the way to root out corruption from the country."

Recap: Workshop on Biocultural Rights and Community Protocols

A workshop on Biocultural Rights and Biocultural Community protocols was held in Namibia from 18-19 August. The workshop was organized by the San Support Organizations (a forum for all community-based and non-governmental organizations working with the San communities) and the Nyae Nyae Development Foundation, with support from the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA).

Natural Justice facilitated sessions on the biocultural rights of Indigenous communities in Namibia to their to material and cultural resources through the development of biocultural community protocols. These presentations, role-plays, and discussions invited community representatives and supporting CBOs and NGOs to consider how they could utilize biocultural rights in their specific contexts. The Integrated Rural Developmentand Nature Conservation (IDRNC) and the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) also highlighted the strategies of the Khwe Community from the Bwabwata National Park and the Hai//om from Etosha National Park in asserting their biocultural rights over their resources and knowledge and the continued conservation of their lands.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) also attended the second day of the meeting and presented on Namibia’s domestic and international obligations in relation to access and benefit sharing, traditional knowledge, and genetic resources. The Ministry officials were asked a number of pertinent questions by community representatives on recognition of traditional authorities, traditional lands, the failure of the Government to recognize Indigenous peoples, and rights over resources. As a result of the discussions, the Ministry officials indicated that all community representatives present would be invited to attend the public consultations at the National Consultative Workshop on the Access and Benefit Sharing Draft Bill for Namibia, which were held on the 24th of August in Windhoek.

Natural Justice will continue to work with the San support organizations, including LAC, IDRNC, the Nyae Nyae Development Foundation, and OSISA in supporting the biocultural rights of Indigenous peoples in Namibia. San communities of the Nyae Nyae Conservancy and the Nyae Nyae Development Foundation indicated their interest in the development a biocultural community protocol and have invited Natural Justice and OSISA to assist them in this process.

Mobile cancer-test unit lies defunct

Shillong, Aug. 20 : A mobile cancer detection unit worth Rs 1 crore is gathering dust at Shillong civil hospital because of a technical snag in the mammography machine. The unit, run by the UK-based Roko Cancer Charitable Trust with support from Meghalaya health department, was launched in April last year after the state government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Trust to run the unit on a public private partnership mode. The mobile unit, comprising a big bus and cancer testing equipment, was originally designed to test breast cancer but also carries out cervical and oral cancer tests in the four districts of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi. However, the mammography machine stopped functioning in April this year. After Delhi-based engineers repaired it, the machine worked for three months but again became non-functional in July. The director of operations, Roko Trust, Meghalaya, Sadananda Das, today said the machine had developed a technical snag and engineers had visited Shillong thrice since July. He hoped that the machine would become operational within a week. He said there were defects in the cards of the mammography machine and since these were available only in Germany, rectification of the problem was taking time. He also said the big bus being used for the mobile unit was not suitable for Meghalaya’s hilly terrain and they had asked the trust for a smaller one. The state government is planning to launch another mobile unit in Garo hills within six months. “Though a big bus was sanctioned for Garo hills, it was used in Punjab after a survey found that small buses were suitable for the Garo hills terrain,” he added. The mobile unit has tested 1,233 women for breast cancer in the four districts it is operational in the past year. Of these, 529 cases were further analysed but no one tested positive. A few cases will be further tested, Das said. Of the 3,279 persons screened for cervical cancer, 2,096 cases were further analysed and two tested positive. Of the 6,665 persons screened for oral cancer, 106 persons were advised to undergo biopsy. Of these, 16 persons have been sent to the Meghalaya Cancer Society for treatment. The Trust, which has a 15-member team, including doctors and nurses, based in Shillong, is a registered charity organisation that operates in India and abroad. It works for the poor and endeavours to create awareness among women on breast cancer in the semi-urban and rural areas of India. It provides free mammography and ultrasound facilities to women in detection camps through its mobile unit. Prior to the tests, patients are educated on breast, cervical and oral cancer through lectures and awareness talks. The Trust operates in eight states of the country — Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa — other than Meghalaya.

Meghalaya CM to Accompany PM on Dhaka Visit

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will accompany Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Bangladesh next month, officials said here today. The decision came after Sangma received the personal invitation letter from the prime minister yesterday, they said. According to the letter, the prime minister has underlined that "Bangladesh is an important neighbour with whom we wish to develop sound and healthy relations". Sangma hoped that it would go a long way to help fructify the efforts of the state government to establish closer and more fruitful ties with Bangladesh. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too is scheduled to accompany Singh during the Dhaka trip. Both Meghalaya and West Bengal are neighbours to Bangladesh.

9 killed, 5000 displaced in Meghalaya floods

SHILLONG, Aug 17 – Two more persons were killed today and another was said to be missing in flash floods and landslides triggered by unprecedented rainfall in Meghalaya, taking the toll to nine, official sources said today. 23-year-old Jarbish Sangma was swept away by flood waters in Selsella, while 66-year-old Abinash Marak died in Garobandha area in Garo Hills. One person was missing in Tura and believed to have been swept away, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills district, Sanjay Goyal said. Over 5,000 people – around 3,000 in Selsella area and 2,000 in Garobadha area – were displaced as the Ganol and Jinjiram rivers overflowed, inundating large tracts of inhabited and cultivated lands in West Garo Hills district after breaching their embankments, sources said. Six relief camps have been set up at Garobadha, Rangatpara, Garodoba, Hariogaon, Mukdagre and Sankargiri and about 2,000 persons have been provided shelter there, a government statement said. The district administration will be releasing rice, dal and salt for the affected people, Goyal said. An amount of Rs 30 lakh from the Calamity Relief Fund has already been placed with the Deputy Commissioner as advance to meet the contingency. An additional amount of Rs 10 lakh is being released to enable the District Administration to organise effective relief to all the affected areas and people, the statement said. The extent of damage to crops, livestock and property would be assessed once the floods recede, an official said. Personnel from the Home Guards and Civil Defence are being rushed from Shillong to assist the District Administration in the relief operations, the statement said. Road communication between the three Garo Hills districts have also been disrupted and efforts are being taken to restore them at the earliest. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has expressed his sympathy to the bereaved families and assured adequate relief measures. The situation is being monitored, he said.

Workshop on Biocultural Rights and Community Protocols

From 18-19 August, Natural Justice will be facilitating a workshop on biocultural rights and biocultural community protocols for Namibian San organizations in Windhoek. The workshop is being organized by the San Support Organizations and the Nyae Nyae Development Foundation of Namibia. The objective of the workshop is to build the capacity of San Support Organizations and San communities to identify and strategically assert their biocultural rights to their material and cultural resources through the development of biocultural community protocols. The workshop will include sharing of experiences from representatives of the Bushbuckridge Traditional Health Practitioners Association, the Khwe from Bwabwata National Park, and the Hai//om from Etosha National Park. The workshop will be supported by the Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA).

Recap: Meeting on Green Governance and the Green Economy

From 15-16 August, Natural Justice and the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) co-hosted a meeting of Indigenous African leaders on the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Green Economy Initiative. The first day of the meeting focused on discussing and understanding the content and implications of the UNEP Green Economy Initiative with respect to governance over their territories and stewardship over their resources.

During the second day, participants prepared the first draft of a statement of African Indigenous principles to further engage the Green Economy Initiative based on the bio-cultural or stewardship rights of African Indigenous peoples over their territories and resources within international and domestic law and policy. Participants also elaborated an action plan for sharing these principles and views with the African Group of Negotiators in the so-called Rio Conventions (UNCBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD), with influential policy bodies such as African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), UNEP, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and with the Global Indigenous Peoples' Caucus and IPACC’s members and allies. The meeting was supported by UNEP and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA).

Floods Render 1,500 People Homeless in Meghalaya

Shillong, Aug 17 (IANS): Over 1,500 people were rendered homeless in western parts of Meghalaya as some villages were submerged Wednesday under rising flood waters following incessant rains, officials said. No loss of life was reported. All major rivers in West Garo Hills district were flowing above the danger mark with flood waters entering many low-lying areas and affecting thousands of people, an official said. Jinjiram, Ganol and Simsang rivers -- the three major rivers -- were in spate. A major embankment at Garobadha, between Rangatari and Sonamati villages, had been breached, letting in flood waters from Ganol river into low-lying areas on a large scale. "Preliminary reports from the flood-affected areas of the district suggests that around 1,500 to 2,000 people were rendered homeless and are currently taking shelter in government relief camps," Sanjay Goyal, the district magistrate of West Garo Hills, told IANS. Six relief camps at Garobadha, Rangatpara, Garodoba, Hariogaon, Mukdagre and Sankargiri have been set up to accommodate the displaced, Goyal said. He said Border Security Force (BSF) troopers have been pressed into service to evacuate people from the affected areas to safer grounds. Home Guards and Civil Defence personnel are being rushed from Shillong to assist the district administration in the relief operations. The incessant rains have also wreaked havoc in the South Garo Hills district, bordering Bangladesh, with the main bridge Sibbari collapsing due to the flood waters. "Road communication in the district continues to remain disrupted following landslides at several places," a police officer said. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said: "We are closely monitoring the flood situation in Garo Hills and the district administration has been asked to take all necessary steps." He said around Rs.30 lakh was with the district magistrate to meet contingencies, while an additional amount of Rs.10 lakh was being released.

Meghalaya's social activists condemn Hazare's arrest

Shillong, Aug 17 (IANS) Social activists in Meghalaya Tuesday slammed the central government for arresting Anna Hazare, even as a women's rights group lodged a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). 'We have lodged complaint against the Delhi Police for abusing its power by arresting Anna without any provocation,' Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO) Chief Agnes Kharshiing said. 'We demand that the authorities immediately grant them permission to hold their peaceful protest without imposing unreasonable condition,' Kharshiing said. The Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council (MPHRC) also slammed the central government for arresting Hazare. 'The arrest is a clear denial of the constitutional right to dissent and violation of the international human rights conventions,' MPHRC spokesman DDG Dympep said.

Meeting on Green Governance and the Green Economy

From 15-16 August in Cape Town, Natural Justice, in partnership with the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) will be organizing a meeting of representatives of African Indigenous peoples on "The Green Economy Initiative: Green Governance Challenges". The meeting seeks to ensure that Indigenous African leaders understand the content and implications of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Green Economy Initiative with respect to governance over their territories and stewardship over their resources.

As an outcome of the meeting, IPACC and Natural Justice will cooperate to produce a response document that sets out African Indigenous views on the Rio processes, low carbon economics, strengths and weaknesses of the UNEP Initiative, challenges of governance and accountability, identification of opportunities for Indigenous peoples to conserve biocultural diversity and protect traditional knowledge, and traditional knowledge-related innovations and genetic resources. The document will further engage the UNEP Green Economy Report based on the biocultural rights of African Indigenous peoples over their territories and resources within international and domestic law and policy. The meeting will be supported by UNEP and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA).

Two Bangladeshis killed by Meghalaya villagers

Shillong, Aug 13 : Two Bangladeshi nationals were killed Friday when residents of a village on the India-Bangladesh border attacked them, police said, adding a team had rushed to the site. The incident took place at Hat Thymmai village on the southern tip of Meghalaya. "The Bangladeshi nationals were killed after the village defence party attacked them for stealing boulders from Wah Khasmar in the early hour of today's (Friday) morning," a village official told IANS. A police official here said they had heard about the incident and had rushed a team to the village to take stock of the situation. A police official has rushed to the spot for information on the incident. Hat Thymmai is about 80 km from Shillong, state capital of Meghalaya. Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, part of which is porous, hilly and unfenced and prone to frequent infiltration.

ST literacy rate low in NE

NEWDELHI, Aug 12 – Barring Mizoram, literacy rate of Schedule Tribe (ST) in North Eastern States is comparatively low. While Assam’s literacy rate is 63.3 per cent, the ST population is stuck at 62.5 per cent. The gap in literacy rate is glaring in almost all States in the region. The gap is widest in Tripura, where only 56.5 per cent of ST is literate and much lower, as compared with the State’s overall literacy rate of 73.2, Minister of State for Tribal Welfare, Mahadeo Singh Khandela said in a Lok Sabha reply to a question by Joseph Toppo.

Leak on Garo Hills ops compromised life

Raju Das SHILLONG, Aug 13 – The leakage of Garo Hills’ counter-insurgency operation details to the media has “compromised the life and security” of individuals, the National Congress Party (NCP) today said. Leader of the Opposition and NCP legislator, Conrad Sangma said operational details of Meghalaya police’s recent encounter with the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) should have been kept “water-tight.” A local daily reported that Meghalaya police’s operation, in which four GNLA men were successfully gunned down in East Garo Hills last Tuesday, was done with the help of a “police mole” in the GNLA. Reportedly, Hubert S Marak the “police mole” infiltrated in the GNLA as part of Meghalaya police’s counter-insurgency operation – Birdie II – and helped the police locate the insurgents inside the jungle. Marak was the Personal Security Officer of NCP MLA from Kharkutta, Omillo K Sangma before he was reported missing together with his service arms. “Now with details about the entire operation in the public domain, the life and security of not just the police official, but his entire family has been compromised,” Sangma said. Sangma further said the police also compromised with the life and security of Kharkutta MLA by planning the entire operation behind his back. The NCP, therefore, demanded an administrative inquiry headed by an official not below the rank of a Principal Secretary to probe into the whole matter.

Shillong to host meet on tourism

Hotspot
Shillong, Aug. 12 : If the Meghalaya government’s proposal is accepted, Shillong will be the next venue of the India-Switzerland tourism meet next year.
Chief minister Mukul Sangma, who visited Switzerland along with two tourism department officials to attend the festival held on August 5 and 6, told reporters today that a proposal was submitted to select Shillong as the next venue.
“In principle, the suggestion to hold the next meet was agreed on by officials of both the countries, present on the occasion,” Sangma said.
Translated, this means that only official confirmation is pending.
Various states of the country participated in the meet, jointly organised by India and Switzerland.
There has been a 30 per cent increase in the flow of tourists to Switzerland from various countries, including India, which gives enough reason for India to tap the tourism potential of the unexplored areas of the Northeast, Sangma said.
During a workshop held in Switzerland as part of the tourism meet, Sangma presented the tourism potential of Meghalaya to the audience.
After the presentation Swiss officials told the Meghalaya delegation that the landscape and waterfalls, which were similar to Switzerland, fascinated them.
“I told the people there that Meghalaya is equally beautiful as Switzerland, since the hills and the gorges are similar and I urged them to visit the state and the rest of the Northeast,” Sangma said.
Besides participating in the tourism festivals organised in European countries, the state government also wants to have interaction with the neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh and Thailand.
“We have requested the Union ministry of tourism to have effective interaction with these countries,” Sangma said.
He said the improvement of infrastructure facilities to attract more tourists is the need of the hour and better road and air connectivity is the priority of the government.
Sangma said the expansion of Umroi and Baljek airports in the state is on the anvil and the government is also exploring the ways and means of operating an 18-seater aircraft from the existing airports.

Regional Dialogue on BCPs in Lima, Peru

On 8-9 August, an informal dialogue was held in Lima, Peru, bringing together a number of Latin American and other organizations to share their respective experiences or thoughts on working with biocultural community protocols. The meeting was hosted by the Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA), ETC Compas, GIZ, and Natural Justice.

In addition to the co-hosts, participants represented different organizations from the region, including the Asociacion Andes, COICA, representatives from the Kuna Kuna tribe in Panama, Kiwchua in Ecuador, Indigenous communities from Madre de Dios, Peru, FARN, IIAP, AGRUCO, and Candela Peru.

During the two days, participants discussed the importance of biocultural heritage, the legal framework in which biocultural community protocols are embedded, and shared their respective experiences on the use of protocols in different parts of Latin America and beyond. It was concluded that while biocultural community protocols are a very useful tool to secure Indigenous peoples' and local communities' rights under, among others, the Nagoya Protocol, more examples are needed in order to draw more precise conclusions about the nature of BCPs and what constitutes the most appropriate processes to develop and use them. Participants agreed to raise further awareness on biocultural community protocols within their respective organizations and to generate further experience on their use in the region. Presentations given during the dialogue can be accessed online.

Indian choir to perform in Toronto

Shillong, Aug 9 (IANS) Meghalaya-based choral group, Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) is all set to perform in Toronto Aug 20 as part of a South Asian festival, a group member said here Tuesday. 'We are all excited and Aug 20 will be our debut (maiden concert) in North America,' Damon Lyndem, bass singer of the choir, told IANS. The choir's performance at the Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, would be featured in Canada's 'Masala! Mehndi! Masti!' festival. 'Since there is a large ethnically Indian population, we will be performing a lot of Bollywood songs mixing them with English numbers. These numbers will be performed in our own style,' Lyndem said. The choir, which enthralled US President Barack Obama on his India visit last year, will perform a repertoire of classical, jazz and musica sacra on the WestJet Stage at the Harbourfront Centre. The Obamas appreciated the performance of the young choir mentored by pianist and conductor Neil Nongkynrih. The choral group has toured Europe, Sri Lanka and other South East Asian Countries. William Richmond Basaiawmoit, a soloist with the choir, said the group will also showcase its 'Sohlyngngem' - an opera which has earned rave reviews in several European nations. The choir was formed in 2001 by a group of singers who came together to produce a variety of music. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is often called India's rock capital.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

The 9th of August marks the 17th International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. An event was held in New York City at the United Nations Headquarters, organized by the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the United Nations Department of Public Information, and the NGO Committee on the Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The theme, "Indigenous designs: celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our future," was explored in a panel discussion and a screening of the film "Harmony of Culture and Nature".

Statements were delivered by Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary-General), H.E. Joseph Deiss (President of the 65th Session of the General Assembly), Sha Zukang (Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples), and Mirna Cunningham (Chairperson of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues), among others. The statements and a video recording of the event are available on the UNPFII  website.

Policemen unfazed by exodus

Shillong, Aug. 9 : Meghalaya police today said the flight of constables to the Garo hills-based Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), will not demoralise the force. “Those who have left the police force have betrayed the community as they were under an oath to serve the people. This, however, will in no way demoralise us,” additional-director general of police, special branch, S.K. Jain, said. Jain said a few deserters cannot undermine the hard work of 10,000 to 12,000 men. “We regret that a few have left us, but no one can undermine the efforts of the policemen who work round the clock with dedication,” Jain said. The GNLA has been successfully able to use the media to project its agenda that apathy of the state police is responsible for constables quitting and joining the militants. The allegations against the police are that the pay of some erring constables are withhe-ld by the police higher ups and some other constables are kept in isolated places in the Police Reserve in Shillong, as punishment for various lapses. Another allegation is that some constables are kept in the houses of police higher ups as orderlies. They are sometimes used as servants to wash clothes and utensils. They have also been asked to fetch their children from schools. A senior police official also admitted that the police officials, according to convention, use the services of orderlies but denied any ill treatment. He, however, said the constables who work as orderlies need to be properly treated. Referring to the punishment for erring constables, the police officer said they have different ways of correcting personnel and this is in practice in other security forces too.

NCP seeks caution in rebel hunt

Manipur-like’ situation to be avoided Shillong, Aug. 9 : The NCP today asked the Meghalaya government to ensure that a Manipur-like situation does not develop in Garo hills on account of the ongoing combing operations against the Garo National Liberation Army. Operations by commandos of the elite Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and BSF personnel to flush out GNLA militants in Garo hills are on. They are assisting Meghalaya’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos to take on the GNLA, led by former deputy superintendent of police, Champion R. Sangma. Opposition leader and NCP legislator Conrad K. Sangma, while talking to reporters, said the prevailing law and order situation in Garo hills was tense. “The government is trying several methods, including operations by CoBRA, to take on the militants, but no tangible result has been seen,” Conrad said. While welcoming the police operations, Conrad, however, cautioned the government to ask security forces to refrain from harassing innocent citizens. “The operations are needed but they should be meticulously carried out to ensure that innocent people remain unaffected,” Conrad said while referring to the death of a civilian, Washington R. Marak, in the East Garo Hills earlier this year. While the police had claimed that Washington was a GNLA cadre, social organisations had alleged that the death of the villager was a result of a “fake encounter”. Moreover, Conrad said the government should ensure that the operations should not give rise to a Manipur-like situation. “We are worried that Garo hills could become another Manipur where innocent people were traumatised by the operations against militants. Many have even opted to join militant groups as a result of the harassment meted out to them,” he said. He also slammed chief minister Mukul Sangma and home minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh and alleged that these political leaders did not do much at the ground level. “We have seen less interference from the ruling side. Both the chief minister and home minister give minimum time to figure out what was happening at the ground level. We need political initiatives and continuous follow-up on the issue besides regular visits,” Conrad said. The Opposition leader also suggested the creation of more jobs in the rural areas of Garo hills to dissuade youths from joining any militant outfit. “People need jobs in the rural areas to create a livelihood for themselves. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the government to generate employment to ensure that youths do not leave the mainstream,” Conrad said. On the state government welcoming the offer made by the A’chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) to assist in the flushing out of GNLA militants, Conrad said, “The government is talking to the ANVC, as the outfit is on a ceasefire agreement. The militant group, is, however, not part of the government. The government should also not refrain from mixing up the ANVC issue with that of the GNLA, as it could lead to a bigger crisis in the state, in general, and Garo hills, in particular.” Marcuise N. Marak, NCP legislator representing Rongrengiri in East Garo Hills, the main district where the GNLA is believed to be proactive, said the ongoing combing operations have led to a reduction in the activities of the GNLA. However, he said extortion is still on in the coal-rich Nangalbibra area.

Meghalaya highway projects hit road block

SHILLONG, Aug 9 – Landlocked Meghalaya’s two most ambitious projects, the 61.80-km four-laning of Guwahati-Shillong National Highway 40 and 47.06-km Shillong by-pass have hit road blocks. Construction for widening NH-40 began early this year, but it came to a standstill at Umsning, Ri-Bhoi district after controversy relating to land compensation and re-alignment cropped up recently. The Rs 536-crore project was approved by the Central Government to ease traffic snarls on NH-40, which connects Guwahati with the State Capital and extends to Barak Valley in Assam and Mizoram through NH-44. Out of the budget, Rs 167 crore has already been paid as land compensation. But, now there is confusion whether the project should be re-aligned and the existing old NH-40 in Umsning be widened as the earlier alignment seems to be passing through a church and, therefore, there is opposition. Moreover, there are other issues of land acquisition in the area. The Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi district has reportedly submitted a report on the issue. The government is yet to respond and take action on it. The Rs 220.35-crore Shillong by-pass project, on the other hand, is facing similar opposition in Mawryngkneng, East Khasi Hills from NGOs and landowners. The project is over 20 years old. The road would connect NH-40 with NH 44 by bifurcating at Umiam (Barapani) and emerging at Mawryngkneng. Trucks and other heavy vehicles moving to Jaintia Hills, Barak Valley and further would take this route. Last month, however, NGOs together with landowners from Mawryngkneng have claimed that the project has veered from its alignment. The NGOs want the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), State Government officials to go for a joint inspection and rectify the alignment. Both the projects are being monitored directly by the NHAI, although the construction is being done by private construction companies – GR Cheetak in the case of Shillong by-pass and NH-40 jointly by Infrastructure and Leasing & Financial Services Ltd. and Ramky Infrastructure Ltd. “The alignments for the projects have been approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and cannot be altered, so it’s up to the State Government to sort out these new problems,” a senior official from the PWD said. He said that although land has been acquired for the Shillong by-pass, however, some stretches of land in Umsning is yet to be acquired, the official said. “ILFAS and Ramsky have said that it would leave out the Umsning stretch and continue with its work. A decision is yet to be taken though,” the official said.

Shillong sounds alert across state

SHILLONG: With just about a week to go for Independence Day, security across Meghalaya has been stepped up in view of insurgent outfits of the northeast, including the "home grown" Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), calling a customary bandh on August 15.

Additional forces, including paramilitary personnel, have been deployed at various places across the capital city even as regular frisking of vehicles and patrolling along the national highway passing through the state have been intensified. "While there is no specific security threat, we are on maximum alert to thwart any possible subversive act of insurgents on Independence Day," a senior police official said.

BSF, which guards the international border with Bangladesh, has also stepped up vigil along the porous dividing line with the neighbouring country in order to prevent militants and anti-social elements from sneaking into India.

"Security along the inter-state boundary with Assam has also been increased to prevent possible movement of militants," a police officer said.

"There is increased vigil across the Garo Hills, where the banned Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has been active of late," he pointed out. "However, national days in the Garo Hills have been traditionally held in an atmosphere of utmost peace and joy and this time around we do not see any reason for the trend to change," he added.

The Independence Day function would be held at the Polo Grounds here, where chief minister Mukul Sangma would unfurl the Tri-colour, East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner J Lyngdoh said. "Like in previous years, ceremonial parades have also been arranged for in all the district headquarters and subdivisions in the State," the DC added.

Home minister HDR Lyngdoh will be the chief guest at the celebrations in Tura, while urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh would be in Williamnagar on Independence Day.

Shillong buses gain popularity

A JNNURM BUS
Shillong, Aug. 7: The commissioning of 40 buses under the flagship Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM) on July 22 in Shillong came as a respite for thousands of commuters who were tired of the expensive cab rides and arrogant cabbies.
Last month, the transport department and the urban affairs department signed a memorandum of understanding on operation of these buses and subsequently, the Shillong Public Transport Service, a special cell of the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC), was handed over the responsibility of operating them.
The buses have since earned the envy of cabbies, as the maroon vehicles are increasingly being preferred over the yellow-black cabs.
A cab driver, apparently miffed with the change of commuters’ attitude towards cabbies, told this correspondent, “As the buses are still new, people are enjoying the ride. But I am sure these buses will meet the same fate as that of the other MTC buses, which have now virtually collapsed.”
Once the new transport system collapsed, people would have no other alternative but to run to the cabbies for conveyance, he added.
The commuters, on the other hand, wanted the government to ensure that the system improved and remained intact.
“After the arrival of the new buses, we feel relieved, since we have been harassed by the cabbies for far too long. Apart from being economical, the buses have given the public an alternative means of transport. We want the system to improve and remain in place for the benefit of the people,” a commuter, John H. Lyngdoh, said.
On its part, the government has been appealing to the commuters to assist it in its endeavour to make the system vibrant and sustainable. From requesting passengers to ask for tickets from bus conductors to appealing to them to maintain cleanliness inside the buses, the government appears to be going all out to ensure that the state has a functional public transport system. Yesterday, the MTC assistant general manager (operations), Anthony Pariat, said some passengers had tried to damage the seats with sharp instruments, while some tried to scratch the bus bodies. “The government came up with these buses for the benefit of the public. It is unfortunate that people display such acts of destruction,” he said.
On complaints about non-issue of tickets by conductors, Pariat said many of these conductors were new to the job and their performance would improve with time.
He also appealed to the public to pay the exact amount of fare so that the conductors were not burdened.
Shillong is supposed to receive 120 buses under the JNNURM, out of which only 40 minibuses are currently plying on the roads. The remaining buses will be dispatched in due course of time.
Moreover, urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday said members of the programme monitoring units would be conducting surprise checks on the buses from tomorrow to ascertain whether the commuters were satisfied with the service and would also penalise commuters found travelling without tickets.
She said the functioning of these buses would also be reviewed after three months, the countdown for which commenced on July 22 itself when the buses were officially commissioned.

Married and seeking jobs? Get certificate first

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has made it mandatory for married persons to produce wedding certificates to apply for jobs or licences. "All departments of the government have been instructed to insist on a certificate whenever an applicant for a job or licence has indicated his or her marital status. Non-compliance of this instruction shall be deemed to be violation of a Supreme Court order," an official notification issued here said.

"Since registration of marriages has already been made compulsory in the state of Meghalaya, problems relating to maintenance can be dealt with under the extant provisions of both the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Code of Civil Procedure," the note specified.

The Supreme Court had on February 14, 2006 passed a judgment in Transfer Petition case No. 291 of 2005 in Seema versus Ashwani Kumar, directing all states of the Indian Union and the Centre that the procedure for compulsory registration of marriages should be notified by respective states within three months of the verdict by amending the existing rules, if any, or by framing new rules.

Thefts on rise in Shillong

11am on July 29: Criminals steal a laptop from Tympang girls’ hostel, Laitumkhrah, Shillong

10.30am on July 26: A girl steals Rs 5,000, a digital camera valued at Rs 41,000, two cellsphones from Ave Maria Home Hostel, Laitumkhrah

July 19: Criminals steal five fans from hostel number 17 of Nehu, Mawlai, Shillong

Shillong, Aug. 6: Educational institutions and hostels in Shillong have become the targets of criminals who want to make a fast buck by stealing computers, laptops, electronic equipment and ornaments.

While the authorities admit that the trend is alarming, there has been no breakthrough by the police.

There were also several incidents of thefts reported from the Nehu campus, especially at the residences of teachers.

The North Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (Nehuta) recently said the rise in the incidents of thefts at the teachers’ residences was a matter of concern.

The president of the teachers’ association, S.B. Prasad, said during the last one-and-a-half months, there have been five thefts on campus. Prasad said his house was robbed last month.

“The thefts have created a sense of insecurity among campus dwellers. Thefts have also been reported from other departments, particularly computers,” he added.

Though private security guards have been deployed on campus, the problem of insecurity still persists, Prasad said, adding that the university authorities should take the matter seriously.

A senior police official said when the FIRs are filed, the police are committed to taking up the cases.

“We have made several arrests in some cases and others are being investigated,” he said, adding that the police would ensure safety and security of the citizens.

New UN Journal Issue on Green Economy

The August 2011 issue of Natural Resources Forum, the United Nations Sustainable Development Journal, was recently released. Focusing on green economy and sustainable development, the special issue includes articles on societal transformations for a sustainable economy; agricultural innovations systems in response to food insecurity and climate change; a regulatory framework for biofuels governance in China; and the sustainability of green funds.

Village chief shot at in Meghalaya

Shillong : A tribal Garo village chief in Meghalaya was Thursday shot at by suspected rebels of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), police said.

Greaterson R. Marak, the Nokma (village chief) of Jeldapara village in West Garo Hills district, was shot at his shoulder and abdomen while at his residence, they said.

"Initial investigation indicates that GNLA rebels attacked the Nokma for selling a plot of land to an Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) leader," a police official told IANS.

However, a thorough investigation is on to narrow down the exact cause of the incident.

The ANVC, one of the five tribal Garo rebel groups operating in western Meghalaya, is currently on peace talks with the central and the state government. The GNLA has accused the ANVC of helping the police in neutralising their movement.

Both the groups have been involved in war of words for turf supremacy in the Garo Hills region.

The GNLA, which is fighting for a sovereign Garoland, is headed by police officer-turned-rebel Champion R. Sangma. Its followers are mainly deserters of the outlawed ANVC and other rebel outfits.

More salary, less allowance for Meghalaya legislators

Shillong : Meghalaya legislators have received a salary hike of Rs.15,000 but their travel allowance has been cut by Rs.10,000, a minister said Wednesday.
The Meghalaya cabinet late Tuesday hiked the salaries to Rs.20,000 from the existing Rs.5,000. But it slashed travel allowance from Rs.15,000 to Rs.5,000, said Rowell Lyngdoh, the deputy chief minister in charge of parliamentary affairs.
"Actually, we have not hiked the salaries of legislators. It was an internal adjustment to see the salaries of legislators are higher than the pension received by former legislators," he said.
Former legislators of the state carry home a monthly salary of Rs.13,000, including medical allowances.
The monthly total emoluments of the legislators would remain at Rs.1.3 lakh, said Lyngdoh.
Meghalaya has a single-chamber legislative assembly of 60 seats.

Meghalaya birth attendant blues

Traditional professionals, who claim 100% success, rue lack of govt aid
E.M. JOSE

Traditional birth attendants. Picture by UB Photos
Shillong, Aug 3 : Flora Mynsong, 49, from Umsolait village under Mawhati area of Ri Bhoi district has helped as many as 600 women deliver their babies at home. Mynsong is a traditional birth attendant in Meghalaya, one of the many unsung heroes who play a big role in effective delivery of babies in far-flung areas where there are no hospitals or roads to carry pregnant women to hospital.
For her the task is a god’s gift, which she learnt from her mother, and she does not want to seek any remuneration from the poor women. However, from those who can afford to, she charges a nominal fee of Rs 200 to 300.
Mynsong, who is in this traditional profession since 1995, says giving birth at home was more comfortable for mothers than institutional deliveries. Many traditional birth attendants claim that there was not even a single case of baby deaths while they attended to the pregnant women over the years, compared to hospitals, where post-natal deaths are fairly common.
While institutional delivery in Meghalaya is as low as 46 per cent, the government has not recognised the growing group of traditional birth attendants.
According to the official data for last year, 54 per cent of the population depends on traditional means of delivery.
Commissioner and secretary, health, Meghalaya, D.P. Wahlang said an independent agency should validate the claim of traditional birth attendants that there were no deaths of babies or mothers during the deliveries undertaken by them.
However, an advocate of the traditional herbal healers, including birth attendants, John Kharshiing, said it was high time the government recognised the group and provided assistance to complement the growth of a healthy society.
Kharshiing, who is the chairman of Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practice (SPIKAP) recently organised a conference of traditional herbal healers here.
The traditional birth attendants use conventional medicines, including mustard oil, for smooth delivery of babies and the newborns are also bathed in warm water with soap.
They also rectify the position of babies through traditional methods for smooth delivery.
Dwil Dohling Thongni, 53, and Iewntine Nongrem, 61, both from Mawkyrwat in West Khasi Hills, have many success stories while fulfilling their role as traditional birth attendants.
Take the case of Tista Maris Wanniang, 63, a resident of Mawkyrwat, who travels from one village to another to cater to pregnant women in far-flung areas. “At a time when there are no roads for the vehicles to carry the pregnant women to hospital, we have assisted them to deliver healthy babies,” she said.
In several villages, where are no health centres, their services have been appreciated by the residents, though the government had not given any due recognition to them, she added.
Men in Meghalaya are also proactive in taking care of home deliveries.
Bigstar Wanniang, 56, from Mawkyrwat and a relative of Tista Maris, is also a traditional birth attendant who has helped as many as 26 pregnant women deliver babies without any any complications. He said in West Khasi Hills there were many men who work as traditional birth attendants with 100 per cent success.
Many women in Shillong, too, depend on traditional birth attendants.
Beauty Kharmawphlang, 45, from the Umpling locality of Shillong, began using traditional methods for delivery of babies since last year. She has handled more than six cases so far successfully.
“Many people call me with the trust that I can safely handle the deliveries and often I don’t charge anything from the poor people,” Kharmawphlang said.
She said there were several instances where babies or pregnant women die during operations by the doctors, unlike in traditional home deliveries.
Moreover, if pregnant women who wish to go for institutional delivery do not reach the hospitals in time, there is a huge risk, she said, adding that lack of proper care in hospitals could also complicate the situation.
The traditional birth attendants who acquired the knowledge from their mothers and uncles want the government to recognise and support them as they are carrying out a selfless service without any monetary benefits.
The commissioner and secretary, health, said the government was not averse to the idea of recognising and acknowledging the services of traditional birth attendants. “We hope that one day a marriage of traditional and modern ways of birth attending will take place to ensure a healthy Meghalaya,” Wahlang said.

Dropped Meghalaya Minister Sworn in Again

Nearly two months after he was dropped from the ministry along with three others for rebelling against Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Prestone Tyngsong was today re-inducted into the state cabinet.

He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor RS Moshahahary at Raj Bhavan this evening.

Immediately after being sworn in, Tyngsong said his induction was done as per the directions of the party high command.

Having revolted against Sangma, a visibly happy Tyngsong now said, "The question of leadership change does not arise at all. Madam (Sonia Gandhi) said this".

Asked about his stand on the continuance of Mukul Sangma as chief minister, Tyngsong said, "We are satisfied."

On frequent internal bickering in the ruling Congress, he said, "There would always be problems in a family."

The decision to induct him comes in the wake of the dissidents, led by former chief minister DD Lapang, demanding re-induction of the dropped ministers as a condition to bury the hatchet with the CM.

Sangma had earlier named SW Rymbai for the 12th berth but he did not turn up for the swearing-in ceremony in which three others were also replaced in June.

It was not clear whether the other three dropped ministers would also be re-inducted.

One of them, Augustine Marak, said on the sidelines of Tyngsong's swearing-in-ceremony that he expected to be re-inducted. "The process is on."

Meghalaya to introduce health insurance scheme

Shillong - The Meghalaya government will introduce a health insurance scheme for those whose annual income is below Rs.5 lakh, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said Monday.

"The proposed insurance coverage would be Rs.1 lakh per family and incase of critical situation, a family can avail upto Rs.2 lakh per year," Sangma told journalists.

The government will soon chalk out the details of the new health insurance scheme, including the amount of premium that should be paid by the beneficiaries, he said.

Meghalaya government has implemented the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), a central sponsored health insurance scheme for the BPL families.

Since the implementation of RSBY for BPL families has already started, Sangma said the government will work out a convergence exercise to upscale the quantum of amount for the insurance coverage for all in the state.

Under RSBY, each BPL family can avail health insurance benefits upto Rs.30,000 per year in which 90 percent cost of the premium is borne by the central government and 10 percent by the state government. The BPL families need to pay only Rs.30 as their share of premium for registration to avail the benefits under the scheme.

"The intention of the government to introduce the universal health insurance is to ensure that all categories of people avail best health care facilities at an affordable price," Sangma said.

He said the government had held discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for creating a corpus fund for implementing the universal health insurance scheme.

Apart from the ADB, Sangma said the government would also seek financial assistance from the centre to implement the health insurance scheme.

"We will carry out a bidding process to select an insurance provider to implement the scheme without delay," he said.

Read more: http://www.indiavision.com/news/article/national/214161/meghalaya-to-introduce-health-insurance-scheme/#ixzz1TsbLZmIM

sciSCREEN light - Page One

The next event will be a sciSCREEN light on Thursday September 29th from 8.30pm at Chapter Arts Centre.

Drs. Andy Williams and Verica Rupar of the School of Journalism Media and Cultural Studies (JOMEC), Cardiff University will introduce the film Page One with a talk on whether the United States and British Journalism is in crisis.

More information to follow...

Six killed in Meghalaya bus accident

Shillong, Aug 1 : Six people, including a woman, were killed and 30 others injured Sunday when a bus they were travelling in fell into a gorge in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district, police said.

The accident took place at Mawmaram village, about 40 km from state capital Shillong, said N. Rajamarthandan, West Khasi Hills district police chief.

"Four people, including a woman, died on the spot, while the driver of the bus and a passenger succumbed to injuries at hospital," Rajamarthandan told IANS by phone.

The bus was ferrying passengers to Nongstoin, the district headquarters of West Khasi Hills from Shillong, he said.