Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 44/23

WORLD WATER DAY OBSERVED AT TURA

The World Water Day was observed at Mission Compound Field, Tura with the theme, To accelerate change, we need more action on 22nd March, 2023. The programme was organised by Public Health Engineering Deaprtment, West Garo Hills, Tura.

Addressing the gathering on World Water Day, the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura Swapnil Tembe highlighted on the importance of conservation of water by ground water recharge, etc and said that the District Administration along with concerned departments is trying their best to conserve water through various means in order to ensure that we have enough water to use for our daily activities. Moreover, he urged everyone to install rain water harvesting in our homes and institutions so that we have enough water to use, especially during the dry season. Further, he advised everyone to use water judiciously and to close the tap if it is left open anywhere. He also congratulated all the winners of various competitions adding that participation helps in the overall personality development of an individual.

During the programme, the Executive Engineer, (WR) West Garo Hills, Taddeus L R Marak spoke on the subject, how to make Water more Sustainable for drinking water supply and other human requirements, while DPM cum AGM, MBMA Valentine Hembron delivered on The Role of Village Community and Water Conservation and ways to improve the discharge of water.

Superintending Engineer, Tura Circle cum Member Secretary, JJM, WGH Ambrose D Sangma, Executive Engineer PHE, Tura Division, Canning S R Marak, DPM, JJM, WGH Brainygo K Marak were among others who spoke on the occasion. The Chief Guest and other dignitaries felicitated the winners of various competitions held prior to the World Water day celebration followed by Model Exhibition after the function.

Press Release No. 45/23

WORLD WATER DAY- BE THE CHANGE

World Water Day is observed on March 22 every year in order to raise awareness about its importance and conservation. In India it is specifically observed to raise awareness about the inaccessibility of water for about 2.2 billion people. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 of United Nations- Water and Sanitation for all by 2030. This year, the theme is on accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. The global campaign, called Be the change, encourages people to take action in their own lives to change the way they use, consume and manage water.

CM Conrad Sangma attended the World Water Day event at Soso Tham Auditorium to mark the significance of this important day and also, its importance in the parlance of Water Resource Management for Meghalaya.

Meghalaya is the 1st State in the country to come out with a comprehensive Water Policy in the year 2019. Since Water sector projects require integrated efforts of multiple departments, hence a detailed Plan of Action (POA) has been devised in this context -Meghalaya Water Mission for a holistic approach to Water Resource Management in the State. Providing drinking water to rural households has been a top notch priority for the Government. When the Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the State only had 4,550 functional household tap connections. In less than four years, this has increased to more than 2.9 lakh households (47 percent coverage). Meghalaya is now the second-best improved state in the country in context to Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with 1215 villages having Har Ghar Jal Status. With utilization of close to 90 percent, the State is progressing well on the PMKSY-HKKP (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana - Har Khet Ko Paani) scheme.

Massive Afforestation projects were undertaken in the last 5 years to save critical catchments. Meghalaya government has initiated Payment for Ecosystem Services (with funding support from KFW and World Bank) to ensure sustainable continuity of water resources. Meghalaya Government is in the process of mapping over 7,000 Springs in the State and towards steady conservation of water, 1,000 Small Multipurpose Reservoirs (SMRs) in all the Districts of the State with funding support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are being established. These water harvesting structures would lead to significant livelihood generation.

The 1st Phase of the project would develop approximately 3000 Hectares of agricultural land thus generating livelihood opportunities for the people. Two villages in West Garo Hills have won the second and third prize in the best village panchayat category scheme (3rd National Water Awards) towards conservation. Other major Water Supply Schemes like the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase III, Nongstoin Urban Water Supply Scheme and Ampati Water Supply Scheme are at various stages of completion. The Baghmara Water Supply Scheme was completed and inaugurated. The William Nagar Water Supply Scheme has also been initiated.

While speaking on this important occasion CM said, we are here to ensure that we manage, protect and conserve water in the most efficient way possible. At the end of the day, we should ensure that we are able to provide enough and sufficient drinking water to the citizens of our state. Meghalaya has had a holistic plan of ensuring that we protect our water bodies, catchment areas, rejuvenate our spring shells, rejuvenate groundwater and create reservoirs. We have apportioned a substantial budget for Water Projects in the coming years to establish Meghalaya as a robust State in terms of Water Resources. The Event was also graced by Guest of Honours – Comingone Ymbon, Minister of Water Resource and Marcuise N. Marak, Minister of Public Health Engineering.