Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT/BOLENG, Aug 26: One of the much awaited annual event of Siang district, the 6th edition of Siang-Simang Angling Festival concluded on Sunday with colourful culture night and prize distribution to the winners of angling competition which was held in a small but befitting manner at Siang-Simang river confluence at Boleng on August 24 & 25.
The closing event was attended by local MLA-cum-Minister RD  Ojing Tasing, Director Tourism Kesang N. Damo, Mebo MLA  Oken Tayeng including Derek D’Souza, Vice President, All India Game Fishing Association among others.
The awards were given away to the winners of the two-day angling festival during the closing ceremony in which Dorzon Mugli received the first prize of Rs. 1 lakh with citation, Manya Basar received the second prize of Rs. 50,000 and Gedo Basar 3rd prize of Rs. 20,000 for the 1st day event for all three catches of Golden Mahseer of 4.5 KG, 4.2 KG and 2.5 KG respectively. While for the second day event, Moji Riram received the first prize for catching Golden Mahseer weighing 1.8 KG, Atan Ketan received 2nd and fastest catch for catching two Chocolate Mahseers of 700 grams and 600 grams, C. Rickey Wangham, Er. Obang Gammeng and Khanwang Arangham received consolidation prizes for catching Golden Mahseers of 300, 200 and 100 grams respectively. Along with cash prizes and citations, angling competition winners were also given fishing gear from India’s best ethical angler, Derek D’Souza, CEO of Pelagic Tribe as a part of motivation and encouragement.
The Siang-Simang angling festival was organized by the Dosing Social Social Welfare Society Youth Wing (DSWS-YW) headquartered at Dosing village, some 12 KM from the district HQ Boleng and the society was established in the year 1982. From the organizing committee, the angling festival was led by Taki Tabi, Chairman, President, Kangkiram Tapak and General Secretary, Jony Mibang.
Simang-Siang confluence is among the finest and least explored Mahseer destinations in the State. The confluence of mighty Siang which is glacial-fed river and crystal clear Simang is a perfect set up for anglers targeting a majestic and sporty Mahseer. Due to the confluence of glacial and spring water, the confluence has resident fish throughout the river.
Congratulating the winners, Chief Guest, Ojing Tasing said that the Pangin-Boleng area was naturally god-gifted and every effort is being made from his and state government’s end to provide every communication accessibility and better facilities to increase tourist flow to the area. However, Tasing said that due to the change in water course and decrease in water volume this current season, there was less number of fish caught this year. He said that the confluence was the best spots for fishing and also had the capacity to attract lots of tourists with a wide range of water sports and camping activities. 
“This angling festival not only manifests conservation of Mahseers, but it also generates employment opportunities for the local youths,” the Minister said.
Director Tourism, K.N. Damo and MLA Mebo, Oken Tayeng, deeply appreciated the organizer of the angling festival, DSWS-YW, for having truly conserved the aquatic lives and its ecosystem of the region. They further appealed to the organizers, locals and the administrator to protect and preserve the ecosystem of Simang-Siyom, river, forest and fishes from extinction.
MLA Oken Tayeng, having closely associated with this angling festival since its first edition as being the founder of the award-winning firm ‘Abor Country Travels and Expeditions’ (ACTE), a leading tour operator in North East India before joining politics, also pitched for making the event more popular and successful so that local economical benefits and employment opportunities are also created which in turn will help the local communities to conserve and protect the Mahseers and other aquatic lives voluntarily with dedication.
Speaking to this scribe, Derek D’Souza, CEO of Pelagic Tribe said the Simang river is one of a major breeding rivers or it’s a highway for Golden Mahseers and people of Dosing and Boleng have done yeoman service in conserving the population of this beautiful fish. “I have been a part of this festival from its first edition and have been encouraging the organizers. I always come here during this angling festival every year and in fact, Boleng is like my hometown; I love this place, people here are very nice, I love the people they are very friendly and love their tasty foods also,” added D’Souza who too genuinely desire that the angling festival generates more economic benefits to the locals in the years to come. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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