A fishing competition-cum-food festival was held at Dachi Lake Resort, Anogre in West Garo Hills on Tuesday last. The event was organized by the Divisional Office, Soil & Water Conservation (Territorial), Tura to raise funds for maintenance and upkeep of the Resort.
It may be mentioned here that the construction of Dachi Lake project started in 2009 and the project was funded by the District Administration through DRDA, Tura under RSVY scheme. Deputy Director, Soil & Water Conservation, Shekhar K. Sangma, who is the brain behind the project, said that the objective of the project was to promote tourism in the region as well as to create livelihood opportunities for the local people as the poor villagers had nothing to fall back upon. The proceeds from the fishing-cum-food festival event would be handed to the Joint Management Committee for maintenance of the lake, he said.
Chief Executive Member, GHADC, P. K. Sangma, while participating in the event, lauded the department for organizing such an event which is not only entertaining, but would also change the living condition of the people as they are now becoming more aware of the scopes of fisheries as means of livelihood, adding that there are abundant streams in Garo Hills that can be converted to lakes like the Dachi project. He was also overwhelmed by the presence of huge number visitors from far and near and expressed hope that their presence would be an encouragement to the people of the area.
More than 250 enthusiasts participated in the fishing competition and a cash prize of Rs. 3000/- was awarded for the biggest catch and Rs 2000/- each for second and third respectively. Besides the fishing competition and food festival, a rock concert was also organized in the evening as part of the day-long event.
Divisional Officer, Soil & Water Conservation (T), Tura S. Ch. Sangma informed that the event would be made an annual affair which would be organized particularly on holidays as there are no means of entertainment in the area and at the same time it would also give time for the students as well as office-goers to participate in such events. (mipr)
