Harnessing of natural resources must for NE progress: Kyndiah

New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) P R Kyndiah today emphasised the need for harnessing of the abundant natural resources of the North East Region for its sustainable development and growth.

Referring to the proposal for establishing a cohesive, autonomous and self-contained entity to provide effective flood control, generate electricity, manage irrigation facilities and develop infrastructure, he said the time has come to give serious consideration to the proposal.

Addressing the concluding session of a two-day national Consultation Workshop here, Mr Kyndiah stressed the need for the proper exploitation of the natural resources for the speedy economic development of the entire region.

The Workshop was organised jointly by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and the World Bank to discuss the draft strategy report prepared by the World Bank as a part of the study on " Natural Resources, Water and Environment Nexus for Development and Growth in North East India".

The workshop underlined the need for dynamic institutions for the management of water and other natural resources in the Northeast and for harnessing these for its economic and social upliftment, while being mindful of ecological concerns, sustainable development and the traditional knowledge systems of local communities.

The consultative workshop was called following submission of the report "Natural Resources, Water and Environment Nexus for Development and Growth in Northeast India" by the World Bank to the Union Government. The draft report covers a range of sectors that the Northeast can develop and benefit from. The sectors range from inland waterways to living intelligently with floods, hydropower potential and decentralized Brahmaputra river basin management, biodiversity cataloguing in conjunction with tribal communities and possible opportunities for enterprises in the North east.

Saifuddin Soz, Union Minister of Water Resources, Arunachal Chief Minister Gegong Apang, Assam Water Resources Minister Bharat Chandra Narah, Mrs I K Barthakurs, Member, NEC and senior officials from all eight North Eastern States and concerned Central Ministries Central Water Commission, Brahmaputra Board, Inland Waterways Authority of India, North Eastern Council, Work Bank etc also attended the workshop. Experts from the Tennessee valley Authority (TVA), USA Columbia River Basin (Canada&USA) and Brazil made detailed presentations to the participants followed by discussions.

The workshop was also addressed by Mr. Michael Carter, Country Director, and the World Bank and by Ms. Karin Kemper, who led the World Bank team that researched and drafted the report. The experts brought international experience to issues raised in the draft report and relevant in the context of the Northeast such as water resources management across international boundaries or river waters sharing systems in a federal country.

The workshop is part of the wider consultation process. Earlier, a Regional Workshop was held at Guwahati in November followed by State level workshops in all the North Eastern States.

UNI BKS RP ND1734