SHILLONG: The Cherrapunjee Ecological Project for Restoration of Degraded Lands under Sohra Plateau which is being implemented by the State Soil and Water Conservation has come a long way in addressing the issue of land degradation in the wettest place on Earth.
The project is being implemented in 45 villages in and around the Sohra plateau and indigenous saplings have been planted in different parts of Sohra to replenish its lost greenery.
The six-year programme aims to ameliorate the ecology and environment of Sohra plateau by restoring degraded lands. It also aims at minimizing harmful human activities.
The headman of Khliehshnong said that the project has been of great help not only to the people of Khliehshnong but also to those from Sohra as a whole. He also said that Soil & Water Conservation Department has helped in promoting fish ponds, ponds and wells for drinking water in the area even as he added that around 8 lakh saplings have been planted.
According to Tariang, the project has helped the people in creating their own dustbins for which Rs.800 had been allotted to each household in order to turn garbage into manure for farming purposes.
The ‘kitchen garden’ scheme to develop farm at the garden of the houses is also being implemented and each household has been allotted Rs.1000 for the same. The headman of Pdengshnong, Sohra Kansal Diengdoh said that the project has helped the residents by providing them a water storage tank where around 3 lakh litres of water can be stored alongside two separate bathing spots.
Under the project, a road leading to the famous ‘Krem Pubon’ Cave has also been built and electricity is being supplied to the cave.
The villagers, however, feel that the Government should not have withdrawn the budget provision of Rs 27 crore meant for the year 2013 which was receded after suggestion from the Planning department as it would affect the project.
The estimated cost of the scheme as per the detailed project report is Rs 87.17 crore and the physical target of the project includes, among others treatment of 365 hectare arable land, 2449 hectare non-arable land, construction of 3268 number structures for drainage line treatment and creation of 18795 units of livelihood and eco-tourism activities.
