SHILLONG:
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on March 22, informed that the budget, which he will be presenting in the House tomorrow, will see a large amount of funds being allocated for water projects in the state even as he maintained that water conservation is one of the top priorities of the government, given the fact that climate change is impacting the ecosystem across the world at a faster rate.
Sangma was addressing a gathering on the occasion of World Water Day, organised by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department at U Soso Tham Auditorium on March 22.
In his speech, Sangma said that in the last 50 years, the state has not been as efficient as it should or could have been to ensure the protection and preservation of water bodies. “When I present the budget tomorrow, there is going to be a large amount that will be allocated for water projects,” he hinted.
“At the end of the day, whether it is the water resources, PHE or soil conservation departments, we are here to ensure that we are able to manage the water we receive in a better manner – to protect, preserve and maintain even the quality of the water – to ensure that we are able to provide enough drinking water to the citizens,” he said.
He also said that this day serves as a reminder of the roles and responsibilities of each and everyone of us and reminded the different government departments of the ultimate goals and targets and not get carried away or lose track of the actual purpose by being too scheme-oriented, in a race to finish the projects on time.
Furthermore, the chief minister said as per projections for the next 50 years, Meghalaya can add up to 6 per cent to the requirement of water to the entire nation. “As a state, we are indeed blessed that we are one of the few states that receives water abundantly, more than what we require. So, the crux of the matter, at the end of the day, is how well we manage things – how we protect our catchment areas, spring waters and reservoirs,” he added.
Referring to a state-run programme – Payment for Ecosystem Services, Sangma said this is one of the most unique programmes that our state is doing and in the entire country, we are the only state that is implementing this project.
“Under this programme, for the first time, the government is paying people to not destroy the forests and we have budgeted close to Rs 50 crore to be distributed to different community forests, individually-owned forests and forests owned by traditional heads. We have many projects coming up for the preservation of reservoirs and catchment areas. All these are unique programmes and Meghalaya is on the right track to ensure that we are able to manage our water better in the long run,” the chief minister said.
The programme also witnessed the participation of PHE Minister Marcuise Marak, Water Resources Minister Comingone Ymbon and Additional Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P Ahammed among others.