Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The state government on Saturday decided to launch a programme on mission mode to rejuvenate the Umsohlang stream at Mawlai Kynton Massar.
The Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, made the announcement after inspecting the stream.
The Wah Umsohlang is etched in the memories of the people as a stream, which has formed an integral part of their lives. The stream, which was almost on the verge of turning into a glorified drain, has ignited the hearts of conservationists who decided to revive the water body. The stream also has a thriving aquatic life in the heart of the city.
“We are here to work along with five-six localities to ensure that we are able to revive, clean and to make sure that bio-diversity and all other aspects of environment and ecology are restored. With that in mind, we have decided today to launch a mission-mode programme, let this be a pilot project which will be an example for other localities and areas and other people in the state as well as the Northeastern region,” he told reporters.
He added that headmen of different localities have decided to have a meeting next week and within a short period of time, the chief minister will visit the Umsohlang stream to launch the programme.
He said that the impact of climate change and the damage done to the streams/natural water bodies can be reversed if the government, the community and all stakeholders work together.
Speaking at a programme held at a community hall, he assured the dorbar shnong that the government will extend support and will initiate the pilot project.
He added that he will send teams from concerning departments to visit and survey the site.
Sangma also handed over the sanction order for Rs 2.5 lakh meant for the Bio-diversity Management Committee of Mawlai Kynton Massar.
Natural resource management
Sangma informed the gathering that the state government is implementing and working on projects worth more than Rs 500-Rs 600 crore relating to natural resource management.
He said that there are big projects worth Rs 300 crore, which were recently sanctioned by the World Bank for catchment areas protection.
He added that there is also another project where Rs 750 crore, which has been sanctioned under externally-aided project for creating 2500 reservoirs in the state and this will be done in all different catchment areas.
Stating that Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall, he said that the rain water needs to be retained in the state and to prevent its flow to Assam and Bangladesh.
“The only way to retain it is to create reservoirs and this will stop the flow of water outside,” Sangma said.