In a bid to enhance the linkage between the forest department and local communities, the Pasighat forest division on Friday distributed solar lamps and pressure cookers to the flood victims of Mebo sub-division in East Siang district.

Forest officials led by divisional forest officer (territorial), Tashi Mize, visited the flood-affected area of Namsing village and distributed solar lamps to around 70 families.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

Pressure cookers, sponsored by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) were also distributed to around 230 families of Mer, Paglam and Namsing villages.

The WTI had earlier donated Rs 1,47,000 to the East Siang district administration for its fight against the Covid-19.

Mize said the relief distribution programme aims at building cordial relation between the forest department and the local populace.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

Taking the opportunity, the DFO also appealed to the villagers to help the forest department in efforts to preserve and conserve the eco-system and to protect and secure the elephant corridors in the region.

Heavy downpour and steady increase in Siang River’s water level have caused massive soil erosions in the Mebo sub-division.

According to officials, around 400 hectares of cropland has been eroded by Siang in Mebo while the Government Lower Primary School in Sigar is also facing an erosion threat.

Officials on Thursday said the Mebo-Dhola road connecting Mebo and Paglam has been cut due to soil erosion in the stretch between Kongkul and Namsing villages while electricity connection to Namsing, Mer, Gadum villages of Paglam circle in Lower Dibang Valley has snapped due to the washing away of 11kv high tension line by the erosion.

Mebo legislator Lombo Tayeng, who visited the flood-affected areas on Thursday, asked all concerned to gear-up for the construction of an alternative road to connect the Mebo village besides restoration of power supply in the affected areas.

He appealed to the people not to panic and extend cooperation to the administration and executive agencies.

According to PWD executive engineer, Tani Taki, the department has already arranged the required man and machinery for the construction of alternative road and the same is expected to be completed within five days.