Arunachal aims to become 100% organic state, to launch 'State Soil Health Mission' soon

Itanagar: In a bid to make Arunachal Pradesh a hundred percent organic state, the state government has decided to launch "State Soil Health Mission".

The programme envisages proper documentation of soil health and preparation of soil map besides, distribution of Soil Health Cards to farmers so that they are guided for scientific nutrient managements, government spokesman Bamang Felix said in a statement in Itanagar on Saturday.

The programme shall also check overuse or no use of fertilizers and its adverse effect and help in increase of crop production through its sustainable soil management paving way for organic farming, he said.

Arunachal Pradesh government which is among the top five states in the country for devolution of power to Panchayati Raj has now initiated steps to strengthen the urban local self governance by transferring powers to enhance revenue base of urban local bodies.

The state Cabinet in a recent meeting decided to authorise urban local bodies to collect taxes, user charges, levy fees and fines as per provisions contained under various sections of the Arunachal Pradesh Municipal Act 2007, Felix said.

The state with 82 per cent forest cover is considered as one of the richest resource based state in terms of aromatic and medicinal plants.

Taking into consideration this potential, the Cabinet adopted Arunachal Pradesh Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Policy 2015. Through this policy, the state government shall extensively exploit the rich aromatic and medicinal plants potential for economic sustainability.