Tura November 24: The concept of economic sustainability and its pursuit is of utmost importance stated Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma during the inauguration of the training and facilitation of entrepreneurs on manufacturing of herbal cosmetic products at the Entrepreneurs Facilitation Centre at Betasing C and R D Block in Southwest Garo Hills .
The six weeks training programmed for 40 participants is being organized under the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programmed (IBDLP) by the mission’s implementing agency, Gyanav Ventures in collaboration with the Commerce and Industries Department and the Southwest Garo Hills District administration.
Speaking on the missions’ viability in the region Dr Sangma informed the gathering that out of the 3, 200 medicinal herbal plants found in Meghalaya 1, 200 of them are exclusive only to Meghalaya from which about 30 plants are found only in Garo Hills.
Herbal cosmetics are a very sought after product both by men and women nowadays and there is an abundance of natural resource in the region for its promotion as a sustainable livelihood generation activity, informed Dr Sangma.
Stating that the scheme fell under the Forestry and Plantation Crops Mission of the IBDLP, Dr Sangma said that trained entrepreneurs will be given financial and technical aid by the government. He urged the Commerce and Industries department to treat the manufacturing of herbal produces as a potential area and said that the department should pursue the activity in an aggressive and proactive manner
It may be mentioned that the various ‘small’ programmes under the IBDLP,the government’s Flagship programme, emphasizes on promotion of sustainable livelihood activities by utilizing natural resources available in the region.Among others present at the gathering were State Planning Board Co Chairman, Zenith Sangma, local MDC Nripendro Koch and Southwest Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh.(SP News)
