2nd Barak River Angling Fest Held Stressing Sustainable Fishing

Imphal, Mar 22: The 2nd Nbiuky (Barak River) Angling Fest was successfully organized on March 19 and March 20 at the serene riverside location of Kagiujai, Nbiuky, under the Tamei sub-division of Tamenglong district bordering Nagaland state with great enthusiasm and camaraderie. The two-day event was jointly organized by Liangmai Nature Club and Save the Rivers Foundation with Rianglong village and Ntuma village.

Set against the backdrop of lush greenery and crystal-clear waters, the event was a resounding success, bringing together skilled anglers, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts from across the region.  

The inaugural function set the tone for the festival, with a warm welcome speech by ZN. Sironbou, Chairman of the Save the Rivers Foundation. The gathering was further enthralled by a stunning musical performance by Male Voice of Ntuma village, whose rendition captivated the audience. Rev. Alungbou Newmai, Executive Secretary of LNBA-M, delivered a heartfelt prayer, quoting from the Bible and emphasizing the importance of preserving nature as a divine gift. Enoch Newmei, Vice Chairman of the Liangmai Nature Club, spoke on the purpose and vision of the event, highlighting the need to conserve the God-given gift of nature.  

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The chief guest, Dr. L. Angshim Dangshawa, Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong, expressed his admiration for the conservation efforts and lauded the people of Rianglong village and Ntuma village for their commitment to living in harmony with nature. Other distinguished guests, including the Commissioner (Horti/Seri), the DC of Senapati, SDOs of Tamei, Noney, and Purul, and the SDPO, Tamenglong, the Addl. SP, Senapati, the CEO, TADC, and the Jt. Secy, CAF/PD, also praised the grassroots conservation initiatives.  

The excitement of the inaugural crowd reached its peak with Benwang Fashion’s captivating showcase, ‘The Cat Walks on the Water’. Following this, the chief guest officially opened the angling event, which commenced at 1 pm and continued until 5 pm. The evening was filled with delightful cuisines from various stalls and entertainment from talented artists, including James Riamei, who mesmerized the crowd with his guitar skills and soulful singing.  

A special mention must be made of the Zeliro Venturers, a group of 30 enthusiastic bikers who Dr participated in the fest and added a vibrant energy to the event. Their lively presence and spirited participation were a highlight of the festival, making the atmosphere even more dynamic and memorable.  

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The day-2 began with angling at 6 am, culminating in the catch of the festival—a Chocolate Mahseer weighing 1.02 kg, caught by W. Kalengta, who was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for his outstanding achievement. At 10 am, a workshop was organized for students from neighboring schools, where Derek D. Souza, Vice President of the All India Game Fishing Association, provided an insightful briefing on angling sports and hands-on training on how to cast a line. The angling event concluded at 5 am, followed by bamboo raft races and swimming events that added to the festive spirit.  

The festival closed with an award ceremony, where the achievers were recognized for their accomplishments. Derek D. Souza caught the exotic tor barakae, whileTsongru Kithan caught a chocolate mahseer. 

 W. Kalengta won a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for catching the chocolate mahseer (1.02 kg) and Machunwangbou won a prize for catching a huge catfish species (665 gm), while Lima won a prize for his catch of a carp species (2.4 kg). N. Khiulubuibou was awarded a prize for his catch of a chocolate Mahseer (400 gm).  

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The organizing committee, meanwhile, extended its heartfelt gratitude to the host villages of Rianglong and Ntuma for their warm hospitality, unwavering support, and tireless efforts in making the event a grand success. “Their dedication and commitment to the cause of conservation and community-building were truly commendable,” it said.  

Special appreciation is also extended by the committee to the generous donors whose contributions played a vital role in the success of the festival. Their support ensured the smooth execution of the event and highlighted the collective spirit of conservation and community.  

W. Dinraibou, Chairman of the Liangmai Nature Club, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants, organizers, and supporters. The event concluded with a Thanksgiving prayer by Pastor Z. Mairilungbou Newmai of Rianglong Baptist Church.  

The 2nd Nbiuky (Barak) Angling Fest not only celebrated the art of angling but also emphasized the importance of conservation and sustainable fishing practices. The organizing committee hopes that this festival will inspire a movement to save and cherish our rivers, the lifelines of our communities.  

The committee extended its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this historic event a grand success. Here’s to many more editions of the Nbiuky (Barak River) Angling Fest, fostering a spirit of camaraderie, conservation, and a deep love for nature.  

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(Newmai News Network)