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Dihira BPF candidate pitches for environmental issues

By ANN SERVICE

MUSHALPUR, Dec 4 - At a time when most of the candidates contesting BTC polls are resorting to tall promises and personal verbal attacks on their rival candidates, Rajesh Baral, BPF candidate for no. 23 Dihira (Open) BTC seat in Baksa has been pitching for environmental and livelihood issues. �Man-elephant conflict is one of the major problems of no. 23 Dihira (Open) BTC constituency, which will be solved in a bio-friendly way. Environmentally suitable and economically viable methods to solve the man-elephant conflict will be explored through discussion with environmental experts.

�It may be through Palmyra bio-fencing or plantation of chilli, turmeric, ginger, lemon and lemon grass or both in the borders of villages which work as repellent for elephants as well as generate income for farmers.� This was stated by the young candidate as one of his top priorities besides providing pure drinking water to every household. It is noteworthy that as a cost-effective and sustainable method, Palmyra (Borassus flallifer) bio-fencing has been successful in Sri Lanka in mitigating man-elephant conflict as it also yields feed for elephants.

�The vision for constituency includes multi-pronged strategy in respect of environmental issues such as revival of dying streams and underground gushes by systematic plantation and protection of trees, to check soil erosion, permanent solution to the problem of irrigation system, ground water recharge, to convert the threat of plastic pollution into opportunity by supporting individuals or groups for manufacturing eco-bricks from waste plastic etc,� said Baral. He further maintained that individuals or groups will also be encouraged for manufacturing bags etc., from jute, water hyacinth etc., as an alternative to single-use plastic. He will encourage production of dishes, bowls and plates from areca leaves and green leaves.

Baral also said that the migration of youth work force to other States will be checked through their engagement in agriculture, horticulture, apiculture, farming, fishery, weaving, sericulture, handicraft and allied fields. Youths will be given support for commercial production, packaging and marketing of honey, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, locally produced spices, herbs and medicinal plants. He added that organic farming will be widely popularised to develop Dihira as a model constituency in respect of production and use of organic fertilizer and organic pesticide.

Highlighting the importance of tourism sector in employment generation, the BPF candidate said that potential of eco-tourism, peace or village tourism, ethno-tourism, tea-tourism, religious tourism and adventure tourism will be tapped for inclusion of the constituency in the State tourism map.

The candidate�s constituency vision includes some plans to boost a holistic academic environment in the constituency such as to institute awards and scholarship for students showing outstanding achievements in the field of science, technology, literature, sports, art and culture ;to ensure frequent visit of mobile libraries to different parts of the constituency and instituting inspirational awards to schools/colleges showing excellent performance in academic and social fields.

Some other plans in his constituency vision includes � development of markets in a planned and modern way, training of young men and women under various Government and non-government agencies for their technical skill development and self-employment and to develop Dihira (Open) BTC constituency as a model constituency in cleanliness through participation of schools, colleges, VCDCs, village development committees and women organisations.

�Of course there will be works to be undertaken in infrastructure development like construction and repair of a few remaining roads, culverts and bridges of the constituency,� said the confident candidate contesting for the first time.

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