Ukhrul, November 21: Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh on Saturday made a maiden visit Ukhrul district to inspect the developmental works being taken up here and to meet one of his pals.

Before proceeding to Shirui he visited his comrade Rating Luikham at Ukhrul where the latter emotionally welcomed his loving pal.

The Chief Secretary also visited the Ukhrul Higher Secondary School and inspected the construction work being undertaken there.

He expressed satisfaction over the work being executed by the contractor.

Later, the Chief Secretary visited the site of the Ukhrul Augmented Water Supply Project and the Ukhrul DC office before leaving for Shirui where he inaugurated the Kashong Resource Conservation Centre.

The Centre was constructed by the UDCRM/IFAD under the Ministry of DONER, Government of India with the stated objective of tapping the potential and development of eco-tourism.

The Research Centre was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 35 lakhs.

According to sources, plans are also afoot for vertical extension of the building, setting up tracking path with fountain upto the peak, improvement of the approached road and electrification and water supply at the Resource Centre at project estimated cost of Rs 50 lakhs in the second phase of the work.

Giving the welcome address Project Manager, IFAD Tychicus Vashum drew the attention of the people to conservation of Shirui Kashong peak and the Buffer Zone, in view of the fact that environmental condition of these region is fast deteriorating The project report pointed out that Kashong has a unique heritage of bio-diversity and it is the only habitat in the world for LIlium Maclinium SHIUI LILY besides sheltering various rare and endangered species like Horn bill, Tragopan, Plythe, Bear, Black Buck, migratory birds, Hoolok Gibbon and the Legendary Lion Kazingkha.

Moreover, it is the only animal corridor in the entire district.

The main objective of the Resource Centre would be to maintain/preserve the serenity of the areas and biological features and to protect and promote the flora and fauna an the other threatened endangered, rare and endemic species, the project report said.

During the inaugural function of the Research Centre, Shirui Village submitted a memorandum to the visiting Chief Secretary highlighting the uniqueness of the mountain and urged for constructing a Guest House cum village Authority office.

The Chief Secretary was presented a traditional neck wear and a locally made handicraft product of Chakra of India.

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