Aizawl: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) chairperson Antar Singh Arya has underscored the need for Mizoram to discontinue jhum cultivation practices and suggested the adoption of more environmentally sustainable alternative farming techniques through a proposed pilot project initiative.
The NCST delegation, including commission members Nirupam Chakma, Dr Asha Lakra and Jatothu Hussain, was on a four-day visit to Mizoram to assess the implementation of central welfare schemes for tribal communities.
The NCST chief chaired a meeting with key Mizoram officials to review the status of Scheduled Tribes and the progress of various welfare initiatives.
During the meeting, the chairperson stressed the importance of promoting Hindi across the state and requested the administration to take necessary actions.
Commission member Nirupam Chakma provided an overview of the commission’s responsibilities and discussed the tribal community’s situation in the state’s southern region and border areas.
Another member, Dr. Asha Lakra, highlighted her findings on health, education, and the status of women in the state.
Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena and other senior state government officials provided an overview of the welfare and development of tribals in Mizoram, where over 94 percent of the population belongs to the ST category, and detailed the implementation of various central and state government schemes.
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Meena stated that all government programs prioritize the well-being and development of tribal communities.
While expressing satisfaction with the implementation of central welfare and development schemes for Mizoram’s tribal population, NCST Chairperson Arya noted that there is still room for improvement in the execution of these schemes.
