An elocution contest for School students on “The Need for Preservation of Wildlife in Meghalaya’ and Exhibition of Wildlife organised jointly by the Meghalaya Forest Department, the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India were the highlights of the observance of Wildlife Week here last week.
Ester M. Tariang (Synod High School) annexed the first prize and Ahmed Jamul (St. Peter’s School) and Manoj Kurian Mathew (St. Edmund’s School) jointly secured the second prize and B.Nongkynrih (Synod High School) bagged the third prize, while Miss M. Lyngwa of K.J.P. Girls High School and Miss D. V. Nongkyurih of Seng Khasi High School were awarded consolations prizes, Synod High School and K.J.P. Girls High School annexed the best school award.
In the placard contest St. Anthony’s High School and Sacred Heart Girls High School were awarded first and second prizes respectively.
In the essay competition P. Sumer was awarded the first prize and Bhaskar Purkayastha (Govt High School, Tura) the second prize. In group two the first prize went . to M.B. Lyngwa and the second prize to S.K Marak (Govt Boys High School, Tura).
Speaking on the occasion, the Meghalaya Forest Minister, Mr Rowell Lyngdoh, said that though the State govt has set up two wildlife sanctuaries, the attitude of the people towards wildlife, would have to change so that animals in these sanctuaries would cease to fear man and come out in the open and roam freely.
Among those .who spoke were Mr. L. Rynjah retired Chief Conservator of Forests Nagaland, Mr. Wahlang, Conservator, Wildlife and Mr. G .C. Das Choudhury, Divisional Forest Officer,Wild- life Division. In this connection a Wildlife Exhibition, which was held at the All Saint Cathedral Hall, was inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mrs.P.P. Trivedi.
Territorial army day observed
The 34th Anniversary of the Territorial Army Was observed here on Oct 9. The programme included an exhibition on TA on the March, ceremonial parade and a flag march by the T A personnel. The ceremonial parade attended by more than .150 jawans of.119 Infantry Battalion (TA). The Commanding Officer Lt Col L R. Das took the salute.
Later, two columns of, the T A personnel staged a flag march through the main streets of Shillong.