Bamboo Cultivation
- This Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 was passed.
- This exempted bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the definition of “Tree”.
- The provision would help dispense with the requirement of obtaining a permit for felling of bamboo for economic use.
- Notably, Bamboo was defined as a "Tree" under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
- This was a major impediment for bamboo cultivation by non-farmers on non-forest land.
Flood Management
- NER witnessed unprecedented floods this year.
- And the rainfall was more than 100% higher than that in the preceding months during the same period of time.
- Responding to adverse conditions following floods, the Government constituted a high-level committee.
- Formed under the Chairmanship of Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman, it is tasked with proper management of water resources in the region.
- The Committee would facilitate optimising benefits of appropriate water management in the form of -
- hydro-electric power, agriculture
- bio-diversity conservation
- reduced flood damage erosion
- inland water transport
- forestry, fishery and eco-tourism
Innovation
- There is a proposal to reorient and rejuvenate the North Eastern Council (NEC) in a new format.
- This is with the objective for it to perform the role of an important resource-cum-research centre for the entire region.
- And also to develop it as the hub of innovation for the upliftment of entire Northeast.
- NEC was set up in early 1970s with the intention to give special focus to the development of this region.
Development
- The Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) for Northeast was launched recently.
- The scheme is aimed at benefitting the hilly areas of Manipur, Tripura and Assam.
- The first meeting of the Japan-India Coordination Forum (JICF) for DoNER was held in New Delhi.
- Identified priority areas of cooperation include Connectivity and Road Network Development, Disaster Management, Food Processing, Organic Farming and Tourism.
Business
- The 12th North-East Business Summit was organised in New Delhi.
- It aimed to explore the scope for business opportunities in the North-Eastern region of India.
- Focus areas were -
- Infrastructure and Connectivity with Public Private Partnership
- Skill Development
- Financial Inclusion
- Services Sector Development, particularly in Tourism, Hospitality & Food Processing
- The Union Minister for Railways proposed to launch an e-commerce portal.
- This was to facilitate the sale of NER handicrafts and handloom worldwide on the IRCTC website.
- Besides, a joint initiative of Ministry of DoNER and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd launched the North East Venture Fund.
- The objective of the fund is to promote entrepreneurship and Start up in the North Eastern Region.
- In the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of DoNER, MPs from the region highlighted the concerns with GST provisions.
- The concerns were related to the impact on North Eastern handicrafts & handloom products, broom-sticks and bamboo products.
Health
- Union Ministry of Civil Aviation is processing the DoNER Ministry's proposal to introducing a helicopter based Dispensary/OPD service.
- This will facilitate health care services in far-flung and remote areas where no doctor or medical facility is available.
- If approved, Northeast would get the India’s first-ever "Air Dispensary" based in a helicopter.
Cultural and Information Centre
- An announcement was made on setting up of a North Eastern Cultural and Information Centre in Delhi.
- This Centre will act as a cultural and convention/information hub of the North Eastern Region in Delhi.
- The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had allotted a land to the North Eastern Council (NEC) for the purpose of construction of the Centre.
Organic Production
- Conference titled “North East India: Organic Production Hub; Opportunities Unexplored” was organized during the World Food India 2017 in New Delhi.
- Notably, NE region has numerous species and varieties of bamboo, banana and citrus fruits, and huge production of fruits such as pineapple and oranges.
- It also has 3 Mega Food Parks in the states of Assam, Tripura and Mizoram.
- The state of Sikkim has been recently declared the first Organic State of India.
Source: PIB
