Nagaland CM bats for green spaces in urban cities, towns

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurating the Public Recreational Centre at Green Park, State Horticulture Nursery on January 21. (Morung Photo)

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurating the Public Recreational Centre at Green Park, State Horticulture Nursery on January 21. (Morung Photo)

Two more public parks to come up Dimapur, three in Kohima 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 21

As urban cities and towns in Nagaland get increasingly congested with rapid growth in population, buildings and other infrastructures, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio has called for creation of more green spaces like parks and recreational centers.

The Chief Minister said setting up of green spaces would make a difference to the overall wellbeing of urban citizens, who are otherwise caught up in the hustle and bustle of hectic city life. 

“Without such spaces, cities become more or less like concrete jungles… even in Naga way of life we are used to spaces,” Rio said in his address after inaugurating the Public Recreational Centre at Green Park, State Horticulture Nursery, on Thursday.

Underscoring the adage “health is wealth”, Rio said a healthy society is always a rich and prosperous society. In line with the public recreational centre at Green Park, the Chief Minister also informed that plans are afoot to set up public parks in the main Dimapur city and Chümoukedima town. Similarly, in the state capital too, three locations have been identified at Old Zoo, NU Campus Meriema and Thizama for building public parks.

Rio said that though Naga people have progressed in terms of development and education after attainment of statehood, yet they still remain primitive in “thinking and behavior”, especially in the context of overall health and wellbeing.

Taking a case in point, he said in food habit, Nagas usually craze after and consume what is “tasty” to their palate and not what is “healthy” to their body.

Further, the Chief Minister suggested that Deputy Commissioners and other administrative officials, Village Councils and GBs could also make decisions to set up public recreational centers including local markets wherever there are spaces.

Rio said in this regard, the Horticulture Department should take initiatives to identify suitable sites and put them up in respective DPDB meetings.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also planted a magnolia plant.

Advisor, Horticulture and Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan, in his address said that horticulture is not only about fruits and vegetables but also about beauty and aesthetics. The Advisor thanked the Chief Minister for the latter’s personal initiative to create and develop the public recreational centre. Yanthan urged the department officials and neighbouring villages to protect the asset for the benefit of all.

Director & Mission Director (MIDH), Dr Elithung Lotha, said that after much effort, the State Horticulture Nursery (SHN) with farm area of 30 hectares is finally free from encroachment. He said Green Park with an area of about 2 hectares is a component of SHN. 

Earlier, Commissioner & Secretary, Horticulture, Anenla T Sato, who chaired the programme, expressed optimism that with the setting up of the public recreational centre, Green Park would once again become the most attractive spot in the state. 

Horticulture Officer & Officer in-charge, SHN, Alemtemsu delivered the vote of thanks.