Heritage Care Foundation Launched to Restore Ziro's Paddy Fields
ZIRO, July 31:
In a major step towards preserving Ziro's iconic Apatani landscape, the Heritage Care Foundation was officially launched on Saturday by Superintendent of Police (SP) Ziro, Shri Keni Bagra.
The initiative comes at a time when the gradual abandonment of traditional paddy fields has emerged as a growing concern, threatening both the ecological balance and the cultural heritage of the Ziro Valley, which is renowned for its centuries-old Apatani wet rice cultivation system.
The newly formed foundation aims to adopt abandoned paddy fields and restore them to cultivation.
By bringing these fields back into productive use, the initiative seeks to revive the valley's distinctive agricultural landscape, conserve its biodiversity, and safeguard an important part of the Apatani community's cultural identity.
Addressing the gathering, SP Shri Keni Bagra urged citizens to be mindful of development activities that could damage the environment.
He called on people to promote sustainable development and work collectively to preserve Ziro's pristine natural beauty for future generations.
He also spoke of his personal connection with the valley, saying he has always admired Ziro for its breathtaking scenery, rich traditions, and harmonious relationship between people and nature.
Reaffirming his commitment to conservation, Bagra said protecting the valley's unique landscape is a shared responsibility.
The launch of the Heritage Care Foundation is expected to encourage community participation in restoring abandoned paddy fields while reinforcing ongoing efforts to protect one of Arunachal Pradesh's most treasured cultural and ecological landscapes.
