By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Khasi-Jaintia Ri-Bhoi Border Fish Protection Committee (KJRBFPC) including the KSU Mawryngkneng Circle has decided to recognize Umkhen River as a Fish Conservation Area.
The decision came after a meeting held by the KSU Mawryngkneng Circle and the KJRBFPC including the Rangbah Shnong of villages located near the river at Thadrang, Ri-Bhoi District recently.
“The decision to recognize the Umkhen river right from Saidong till Skha Myndon was taken after realizing the vastness and the importance of this river which can generate income and employment to the youth”, KSU Mawryngkneng president Wallambok Kharsati said.
Kharsati also suggested the committee that Patuna chasm in the Umkhen River should be turn into a fish sanctuary stating that it is a good place to rear fishes at the same time improve the economic development of the state through tourism.
Regarding this, the Rangbah Shnong Thadrang expressed the need for sitting of the the Dorbar on this issue stating that this is the favourite place of the fishermen. “So I think, the decision to turn this area to a fish sanctuary will come only after a Dorbar”, the RS said. They also warned any individual who is found destroying aquatic lives for their own personal benefits would be fined Rs 50, 000.
Around 23 Rangbah Shnong from the three districts of the state –Khasi, Jaintia and Ri-Bhoi were present in the meeting besides, MDC of Nartiang Constituency Thom Shiwat, Fisheries Officer of East Khasi Hills District T Mynsong and others.
Moreover, the KJRBFPC elected new office bearers which include Shalan Khongjoh as president, Edwin Challam as vice president, Super Rngaid as general secretary and Edmund Shadap as assistant general secretary.
