Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, on Thursday, called for protecting and preserving the rich bio-diversity of the Northeast region. 

Expressing his joy to visit Northeast, Naidu said the region is one of the richest bio-reserved states in the world. He is on a one-day visit to Nagaland. 

After his arrival at Dimapur airport, Naidu visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – National Research Centre on Mithun – at Jharnapani, around 25 km from here. 

Interacting with the scientists of the institute, he urged them to accord priority to their research work. He also addressed a meeting at the institute. 

The Vice President witnessed a live Mithun and fed fodder and visited the exhibition hall of the institute. He was accompanied to the institute by Governor Mukhi, deputy CM Patton, agriculture minister G Kaito Aye and other officials. 

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Director, ICAR (Mithun), Dr MH Khar highlighted the achievements of ICAR at the meeting. 

Later on the day, Naidu virtually inaugurated the office building of the Directorate of Information Technology and Communication Kohima, buildings of Nagaland government high schools and ministers’ residential complex Kohima at Chumukedima police complex here in presence of Governor Mukhi and chief minister Neiphiu Rio. 

He also held a meeting with the Governor, CM, deputy CM and other ministers at the complex. 

“An honour to have Shri @MVenkaiahNaidu, Hon’ble Vice President of India, virtually inaugurate some projects & buildings. It’s an honour for us & this kind gesture will remain embedded in Naga history. Grateful for giving us the opportunity to host him. We hope he visits us again,” Rio tweeted. 

“Listening to Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri @MVenkaiahNaidu  Ji interact with scientists from the ICAR National Research Center on Mithun at Medziphema & the ICAR Research Complex for the NEH Region during his visit to the institutes today was an invaluable experience,” deputy CM Patton said on his Twitter handle. 

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In the evening, the VP witnessed a cultural programme at North East Zone Cultural Centre Dimapur. He is scheduled to leave for Itanagar on Friday morning. 

Bhadra Gogoi is Northeast Now Correspondent in Nagaland. He can be reached at: [email protected]