EMN
Waromung, February 6
Chairman of the Nagaland Bio Resource Mission Dr Longri on Saturday, February 6, called for making the Milak river areas an economic zone which he said would be beneficial not only to the Changkikong people, under Mokokchung district, but to the entire population of Nagaland.
Representative of the 29th Jangpetkong Assembly Constituency legislator, Dr Longri was the chief guest at the 72nd CSM conference at Waromung village under Mokokchung district. During his address, the politician exhorted the citizens of Changkikong range on the importance of conserving biodiversity.
According to him, Milak River, which transverses through the entire range, and its adjoining areas can be declared as an economic belt for the economic uplift of the people.In this regard, the legislator urged the people to look ‘toward the development of fields’ as a recurring theme based on the slogan ‘back to the land’. Dr Longri asserted that the Changkikong range, with its rich biodiversity, has sufficient avenues for prospective farmers and entrepreneurs. He called for community efforts to engage in conservation. He advised against random coal mining (which is having adverse ecological effects on the local biodiversity) ‘so that the dream of an ‘economic zone’ along the Milak river belt can be a reality.
About the pathetic road condition of Changkikong range, Dr Longri said that the chief minister and the departments in concern are ‘keeping keen interest for the development of the road.’ He promised that the road will be developed during his tenure. Nonetheless, he asked for constant support ‘so that his dream of developing the roads would be a success.’
Members from the Changkikong Senso Telongjem of Dimapur performed a traditional song during the event. The pastor of Waromung Baptist Arogo, Meren Molier, said the invocation for the programme.
For those who might not know, an economic zone, or more commonly, a Special Economic Zone is a geographical region that has economic laws that are more liberal than a country’s domestic economic laws. India has specific laws for its SEZs.
The category ‘SEZ’ covers a broad range of more specific zone types, including Free Trade Zones (FTZ), Export processing zones (EPZ), Free Zones (FZ), Industrial Estates (IE), Free ports, Urban Enterprise Zones and others. Usually the goal of a structure is to increase foreign direct investment by foreign investors, typically an international business or a Multi National Corporation (MNC).
Currently, Nagaland has two approved economic zones, at least on paper.
