Faced with increasing opposition in executing power projects in the NE, the NEEPCO has decided to form an "advisory group' to address issues related to environment. Union Minister of State for Power, Jairam Ramesh announced here recently that the NEEPCO would form the advisory group comprising eminent environmentalists drawn from IIT, Guwahati and NEHU. The advisory group would suggest how best to implement projects without causing damage to the fragile environment of the region. It would also help to take the public into confidence with regards to environmental issues.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has underlined the need for accelerating development of the North Eastern Region and assured a delegation from Meghalaya that the Centre would support all round development of the State. The Prime Minister expressed this view when Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister Timothy D Shira along with former Lok Sabha Speaker and now chairman of State Planning Board Purno A Sangma called on him in New Delhi yesterday, an official release said here today.

It is said to be the only place in the world to house the mother plant of citrus-Indica (orange). And for this, the world's first citrus gene sanctuary was established in this reserve. Now, the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment has forwarded the nomination of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in Garo Hills of Meghalaya for UNESCO recognition on the world network of biosphere reserves. Foresters say that forwarding of the nomination implies that the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is admitted to be a pristine area and a biodiversity hotspot.

The Meghalaya Health Department was today sent into a tizzy following a suspected case of bird flu admitted at the Shillong Civil Hospital today. State Director of Health Services Dr KH Lakiang said one Anjalina Paslain (21) has been admitted with "fever and rashes' and has been kept in the "isolation ward'. "The blood and stool samples of the victim has been collected, and will be sent for tests for Bird Flu virus to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in Delhi tomorrow,' he said, adding, "Nothing can be said as of now.' While not ruling out the possibility of Bird Flu, Dr Lakiang said the tests have been done for "prevention' and "diagnosis'. District Surveillance Officer (Integrated Diseases Surveillance Cell) Dr M Basaiawmoit and other senior officials of the Health Department also did not rule out the possibility, but said nothing can be confirmed till the tests results. Two specialists doctors attending the victim refused to divulge much but at the same time did not rule out the possibility. "Nothing can be said. Certain respiratory problems also have similar symptoms. We have to wait for the test results to come. It will take three to four days,' they said, requesting not to be named.

John Marbaniang worked with Warren and Co in Assam before starting his own garden in 1993 at Sohryngkham, 20 km from Shillong. Initially 600 tea bushes, mostly Darjeeling clones were planted. His daughter, Shariti, trained in agricultural sciences joined him two years ago and is now managing the garden

Grassroots Options is about development or the lack of it in the northeast