Imphal, September 16: Expressing concern over the difficulties being faced now by the people living under the two Gram Panchayats of Thanga Part-I and Part-II who earlier used to earn enough from fishing from Loktak lake, MLA of Thanga Assembly Constituency T Mangibabu has stressed on the development of the surrounding area as a tourist spot to help the people.

Speaking at the occasion of distributing job cards under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to the people of three Gram Panchayats under Thanga Constituency today, MLA Mangibabu said that earlier people of Thanga Part-I and II used to live easily from the fishing activities in Loktak lake but now they are not able to do so.

At one time, Thanga and its surrounding hilly ranges were also full trees and orchards.

But now everything has gone giving a serious impact not only on the climatic condition of the area but also on the livelihood of the people.

So in order to protect the environment from further degradation and help in improving the socio-economic condition of the people, there is the need to pay attention on development Thanga as a tourist spot to attract visitors, the MLA said.

He further informed that under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, steps would be taken up for plantation of trees on the hilly ranges of the island.

Noting that it is the villagers themselves who have to take up the responsibility of planting these trees and ensure their proper growth, the MLA appealed to the villagers to carry out the task with sincerity and a sense of belonging.

Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur District AS Shimray, Adhyaksha of Bishnupur District Ksh Sorojini, Upa Adhyaksha of the district O Jugeshore and Gram Panchayat members and Pradhans were also present during the function in which 1968 job cards for the people of Thanga Part-I Gram Panchayat, 2038 job cards for the people of Thanga Part-II and 1933 job cards for the people of Moirang Khunou Gram Panchayats were respectively distributed.

In his address, Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur district AS Shimray observed that NREGS is a special programme launched by the Government of India for development of the villages.

The scheme would ensure participation of the villagers in taking up developmental works of their own respective villages.

So the villagers should take up the assigned with enthusiasm.

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