Shillong, Sept 16: NITI Aayog members headed by Dr V K Saraswat, at Secretariat, Shillong in a meeting geld on Monday discussed at length various steps for sustainable development of the region also taking into consideration the issues faced.
The meeting which was held by Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma along  the team of NITI Aayog
The meeting discussed the need of developing the Himalayan region which the State of Meghalaya is a part of. Sustainable tourism, spring shed development, development of Agro Forestry, plantation of oil seeds during fallow were some of the points that were deliberated on during the meeting.
The Chief Minister in his remarks while thanking the members of NITI Aayog said that it is the focus of the government to develop the State on a sustainable model. Giving the example of Chandigre in Garo Hills he informed that such places of tourist and strategic importance are being developed where Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Tourism, Horticulture, Forestry, Food Processing and C & RD will be integrated. “We are developing such places to a complete sustainable economic zone taking care of the Biodiversity, environment conservation and issues related such as shifting cultivation while providing the people with alternative and sustainable means of livelihood,†he said.
The members of the NITI Aayog informed that there is a need to have centers for the development of the Himalayan region to sensitize and create awareness of the region. Education, migration of people to plain areas, shifting cultivation and drying of spring sheds were some of the major concerns they informed. The members recommended that there is an urgent need of mapping and creating database for the development of spring sheds. The members also suggested plantation of oil seeds and millet during fallow in Agriculture sector, promoting home gardens complimenting the home gardens with Animal Husbandry integrating Tourism into it, strong and monitoring guidelines while promoting responsible tourism in Tourism are some initiatives that can be considered for creating sustainable development in the State.
