Shillong, Feb 19: The highly vulnerable catchment areas of the Umiew river in East Khasi Hills and Ganol river in Garo Hills are getting a major protection boost with the Meghalaya Govt announcing that it has sanctioned Rs 344 Crore for protecting its catchment areas.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced on the floor of the house on Monday that Rs 344 crore has been sanctioned for protecting the catchments of areas of these two important rivers. He also said the externally aided project was launched only last week.
“This will be a big step towards protecting Umiew and Ganol catchment areas,” assured the chief minister.
Meghalaya first with state water policy
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the government of Meghalaya is one of the first governments to come up with a state water policy and there are multiple projects to conserve the water sources in the state.
“We are also one of the few states to work closely with the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) and we have mapped 50,000 springs,” he said.
Announcing plans to conserve water in a big way all across the state, the chief minister informed that the government is also working towards coming up with over 400-500 reservoirs to store water which will play a crucial role during the dry season, adding that climate change is a worrying situation globally.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Ronnie V Lyngdoh urged the government to protect the catchment area of Umiew river.
He said that the Umiew river is drying up since very little is being done to protect the catchment area in view of deforestation taking place on a large scale.
Sharing similar concerns, UDP legislator Olan Sing Suin from Mawsynram, tagged as the wettest place on earth, suggested the need for the government to conserve each and every water source at the village level.
Water from Umkhen river to be source for New Shillong township
Minister in-charge Public Health Engineering (PHE) Marcuise N Marak, while speaking about the Jal Jeevan Mission said that various sources of water being supplied to the households under Jal Jeevan Mission are surface sources and ground water.
“With a view to lessen the dependency of water supply only from river Umiew at Mawphlang which is the source of Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme, the proposed source of water to cater to New Shillong Township is river Umkhen,” he said.
Further, the minister informed that the government is also taking several steps to rejuvenate the water sources. “In regards to JJM, we are also geo-tagging (all water sources) so that necessary steps can be taken,” he added.
He also informed that there is no deadline set but the target to complete the implementation of the JJM is by March 2024.
On Congress’ MLA from Mawhati Charles Marngar’s query as to whether the government would provide fuel for pumping water in regards to JJM implementation in the state, Marak however said he would get the matter examined.
