Arunachal’s Pakke Paga Festival (PPF) will be declared as State Festival by Chief Minister at the upcoming budget session. He also announced that Pakke-Kessang district would be created within the year, at the Pakke Paga Festival held in East Kameng district on Thursday.
“Organising such festivals would not only help conserve the rich biodiversity of the state but also spread awareness about conserving nature,” he said. The CM also assured of funds for construction of traditional huts and a festival ground.
Interestingly, Pakke Paga Festival is the only festival in the state dedicated to conservation of nature. The festival also has the potential to attract tourists from the country and abroad.
In an effort to protect the hornbill, the CM announced the adoption and sponsorship of 10 hornbill nests. He also lauded the community ban on hunting activities.
Pema Khandu also awarded certificates and mementoes to the ‘Most Hardworking Nest Protectors’ who were involved in monitoring hornbill nests. He also gave away a cheque of Rs 18,000 to the Mysore-based Nature Conservation Foundation for its Nest Adoption Programme.
The CM promised to visit again ‘to lay the foundation stone for the new district by December 2018.’