From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: With an aim of spreading the message to the younger generation and to the people residing in the mineral rich, East Jaintia Hills District that water is a finite source, a day long mass awareness program was organized at Jaintia Eastern College, Khliehriat in East Jaintia Hills District on Friday.
The Department of Water Resources, Government of Meghalaya, the Meghalaya Water Resources Development Agency together with the Central Soil and Materials Research Station, New Delhi organized the mass awareness program on ‘Save Water Save Earth’.
The awareness program was attended by the Director, Central Soil and Materials Research Station, New Delhi, Murari Ratnam who graced the inaugural function as the chief guest in the presence of the Chief Engineer, Department of water Resources, Meghalaya and MLAs of the area including Justine Dkhar and Hopeful Bamon.
Speaking on the occasion, Ratnam informed that while the population is going up, the volume of water is reducing. “We need to conserve water for the present and the future generation and use it efficiently”, he said.
The Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, P Lyngwa informed that the mass awareness program was organized to sensitize the people of the area to protect water bodies and water sources.
“If we don’t protect our water sources, the present and the future generation will be facing water problem not only for domestic use but also for agricultural use”, he said.
It may be mentioned here that water bodies including rivers and streams, which are the main sources of water, have been badly affected due to coal mining activities.
Waste products from coalmines have highly polluted rivers and streams completely affecting aquatic life.
“We need active participation of the people to stop disposal of waste into river and streams so that these river affected by coal mining will be clean naturally”, Lyngwa said.
Quiz, drawing and Painting Competition on the topic, “Save Water, Save Earth”, were also organized on the day.