321/2022-2023
Aizawl 28th January 2023: The interaction of Save Chite Lui Coordination Committee and various Local Councils and NGOs was held yesterday at Chanmari YMA Hall in Aizawl.
Dr.Renu sharma,Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Save Chite Lui Coordination Committee addressed the gathering by highlighting the various aspects necessitating its conservation. She pointed out that restoration and conservation of Chite river is a crucial and substantial initiative that requires collective effort of different institutions. As river restoration is a very complex activity, she called for building a sound coordination between the Government, Urban Local Body and NGOs as well as Churches of different denominations. The Chief Secretary also mentioned that river restoration requires several decisive changes which must be coordinated and supported by the general public and therefore is important to motivate the local stakeholders to increase enthusiasm, support, stimulate self-mobilisation and further actions. The Chief Secretary further brought out that in 2022 the first Plastic Road(green road) was constructed from polythene collected from Chite river and pointed out that these achievements and Save Chite Lui Movement as a whole was mentioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat(Radio Live Programme).
In order to renew the knowledge of cultural significance of the river and to reclaim the feeling of ownership,Dr.Renu sharma said that awareness must be transmitted to the common masses and therefore called on the people of Mizoram to contribute their utmost best for the conservation and restoration of Chite River.
Shri R.K.Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests(PCCF) who also spoke on the occasion identified that lack of awareness was the main reason causing pollution in the river and that a comprehensive awareness must be conducted in a timely manner to achieve full success in the Save Chite River Movement.
Dr.Lalhriatzuali Ralte, Deputy Commissioner, Aizawl indicated that good advocacy is the need of the hour and that everyone who lives in the catchment areas of the river needs to be educated and to involve more in the restoration of the Chite river and its conservation efforts.
The interaction programmme was attended by two representatives each from the Local Council, YMA,MHIP,MUP of the sixteen localities of the northern side of Aizawl City and two to three similar programme will held again in the future.
