By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: As global warming is taking its toll, a remarkable change in climate is seen. The same is experienced in Meghalaya, where the crisis for drinking water is one of the biggest problems despite the state receiving good rainfall.
To tackle this problem before it goes out of hand, an immediate need to provide information, educate and communicate with the masses on the water-related issues was felt. With this thought in mind, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of water resources, government of India has started a nation-wide campaign amongst the school children through painting competition with the theme, ‘Replete ground water before it depletes’.
The 3rd State level painting competition was held for the school children of the state since September and October where over 3,500 students took part and only 50 best paintings were selected. The results and prizes were distributed at Anton Hall, Laitumkhrah, by the Soil and Water Conservation Minister Prof RC Laloo on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering, Prof RC Laloo highlighted the sad state of affairs Meghalaya is facing at present. “Few years ago, the source of water is still clean and fit for drinking, unlike now where we see plenty of water but of no use at all”, he rued.
Referring to theUmkhrah River, Prof Laloo said it is very sad to see that the once pristine river, now, has turned into a mere drain, while stating that it will be a great challenge to regain the lost glory of the river.
Calling upon the students to identify their talents and make a difference.
Meanwhile, Director of Soil and Water Conservation department, D Langstieh, stressed on the need to inculcate a scientific spirit amongst the students enabling them to understand the current scenario of the world, especially relating to water where millions are experiencing water crisis and a decline in the ground water level is encountered.
Elaborating on the topic, Langstieh said, if the water table (the surface where the water pressure head is equal to the atmospheric pressure) is being over exploited then there is a need to recharge the ground water through various means.
“In regard to this, the government has been adopting several methods to recharge the ground water of which every individual can contribute like terracing, control bonding, control trenching, plantation, control cultivation and water harvesting”, he said.
He also mentioned that nowadays in many cities, it is made mandatory for every building to have roof for harvesting water and trenching to allow the rain water to penetrate into the soil.
Later, Prof Laloo gave away the certificates and cash money to the winners of the painting with Aradhika Paul (class VI) of BSF Secondary school as the winner who also received Rs 10,000 followed by Prakash Das (class VI) of All Saint’s School as the 1st runner up with Rs 8000 as the cash prize and Nandini Das (class VI) of St Margaret’s HS School at 2nd runner up, with a cash prize of Rs 5000. 10 other students were awarded with consolation prizes.
The winners of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in the state level competition from each of the states will be invited to participate in the national painting competition to be organised by CGWB at New Delhi on January 21, 2013.