SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Water Foundation (MWF) organized The Shillong Water Conclave: Water Equity and Sustainability in the Context of North East India at Shillong on Saturday (UN World Water Day) with the support of the State Government, the India Water Foundation (IWF), GIZ Climate Change Adaptation for North East Region, Meghalaya Water Resources Development Agency and Meghalaya Basin development Authority. The event was held at the Convention Centre, NEHU, Shillong.
The MWF held a small retreat and concluded that people as users must be part of the solution and be at the centre of the work of MWF.
Speaking at the conclave, Mihir Shah, Member, Planning Commission of India presented a very insightful speech in his key note address on the 12th 5 year plan.
He started out by saying that strength of Meghalaya lies in its natural resources and partnerships and also stated that Meghalaya had one of the best water policies in the country. He then moved on to the 12th Plan saying that “There is a paradigm shift in water resource management” and stated eight principles for the paradigm shift.
He was of the opinion that large dams were limited in use as the water does not percolate to the farmers.
His next point revolved on the status of ground water and how it has only recently come to the fore as a source of water. It is now the most important resource of water.
It is, therefore, imperative to form a state ground water committee.
His third point pointed out to the fact that water is too complex to be handled by government alone. Water had to be debureaucratized. It is required to involve working groups as well. He expressed the need to eliminate silos and promote convergence mode of working among all government departments. His next point focused on the need for participatory mechanisms for water management. We must also have sustainable mechanisms for water management.
He stated that water is not an individual resource but a community resource. It is, therefore, imperative to make legal changes in the regime of water use as our laws date back to the time of British rule where it gives the owner of the land complete control over the use of water present in the land.
It should be proposed that change in policy towards ground water. It should fall under the public trust.
He also made a point to point out that technology must partner the idiosyncrasies of the region.
K.K Paul, Governor of Meghalaya congratulated MWF for organising this conclave on a very topical subject.
He said that “We need to understand the need of the hour. Water is a basic resource. Overexploitation of water can lead to disastrous circumstances”.
