By Dr Lakhon Kma
Over a year has passed since MDA came to power in the State of Meghalaya but we are yet to experience the visible changes that we all voted for. With every passing day, our hope is fast diminishing. There are myriad of problems staring at us but let me focus on the environmental issues this time and leave the rest for another day.
Environmental issues are multifarious in nature but the most challenging is the availability of potable water. With the arrival of every monsoon season accompanied with heavy precipitation, it seems to wipe out our memories of the dry spell of 4-5 months where acute water shortage is experienced, particularly in Shillong city. It’s an irony that a State that stands boisterous as having places like Mawsynram and Sohra (Cherrapunjee) receiving the world’s highest average annual rainfall of 11871 mm and 11777 mm, respectively, can also face acute shortage of water. Factoring in the population of our State and the per capita consumption of water, if we are able to harvest the excess water from these areas and other areas, in principle, there will be no dearth of water in any household throughout the year. However, subsequent State Governments have ignored this aspect of harvesting excess rain water in a well-planned manner. Take the example of Sohra, specifically the Dainthlen area. Most of these hills are barren with almost no agricultural activities around them owing to the nature of the soil and climatic conditions. But this area receives heavy rainfall and contributes to some of the strong river systems and gorgeous waterfalls in the greater Sohra area and beyond it. This is the perfect place to harvest rain water on a massive scale by building huge reservoirs and then channelizing the water wherever needed. Perhaps, MDA Government can take a cue from the proposed Indian Rivers Inter-links that aim to effectively manage water resources in India by linking Indian rivers by a network of reservoirs and canals. The project aims at reducing persistent floods in some parts and water shortages in other parts of the country. In the similar manner, perhaps the Ministry of Water resources, Government of India would be forthcoming in the endeavors of the State Government to in rain water harvesting in a massive scale.
Conservation of our water resources is a must for sustainable utilization. Water bodies cannot be claimed by individuals as their personal rights although it might be located near their property or pass through it. Rather, the community ownership should be stressed for its maintenance, sustenance and utilization. Any activity that threatens the existence of water bodies should be curbed with iron hands. Take the example of Umtyngar River on the way to Sohra. What have we done to it? Mindless sand and boulder mining from the river bed has literally killed the river. It is further ravaged by uncontrolled cutting of hills around it for sand, gravels, boulders, etc. which resulted in the further deposition of soil during rainfall. The once pristine river where many of us have memorable events of picnics and outings is left muddy and dead by our greed. Sometimes I wonder-did we tribal really ever live in the lap of our mother nature to know its value in the distant past? Had our genes mutated so much that we are blinded by our greed to an extent that there is utter disconnection from our environment? Where is the tribal’s harmony with nature or what we call ‘mei ramew’? Anyway, since we are living in the time of selfish gains and complete disconnect from Mother Nature, perhaps, only policing will work. Time has come for the Government to be ruthless while dealing with conservation of water resources. If the existing provisions are not enough, bring new Act to make sure than nothing comes in between to hinder the conservation of our water bodies at any cost.
Keeping the demand on clean water in mind, the State Government should make it mandatory to have a rain harvesting system in every new building plan. No permission should be granted by concerned agencies- MUDA or District Councils without this provision. For existing houses, a definite time period should be given to have rain water harvesting system. If necessary, Government should bring new rules in the Meghalaya Building-Bye Laws 2011 or similar laws of District Councils to make it mandatory and binding on all.
Rapid and unplanned urbanization around the greater Shillong areas is going to have the utmost impact on the demand and supply of potable water. While it cannot be stopped because of ever growing population, it needs to be regulated, particularly, around sources of water. The greater problem is, however, the mushrooming guest houses, holiday homes, hotels in residential areas which is going to put serious constrains on the water supply chains. Unless it is the only means of livelihood, no permission should be granted within the ‘vicinity’ of Shillong City to be defined by appropriate law to have the legal sanctity while encouraging these ventures around the new areas which are outside the perimeter of Greater Shillong. This will have dual purpose. 1. It will reduce constraints from the city and, 2. It will encourage tourism in untapped areas. E.g. setting up of tourist lodges, hotels, guest houses, etc around Laitlum, or on the way to Sohra, Mawlynnong, Dawki, Thadlaskien, Jakrem, Nongkhnum island, etc. will boost the local economy through tourism and equitable infrastructure development through good roods and civic amenities. This will be similar to what we see in Kerala. All tourists do not stay in Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi. Places like Thekkedy, Munnar, Allepy, etc. share the burden of tourists without any issue which helps the local economy as well as revenue generation of the State.
The other aspect to deal with will be the sewage treatment. In spite of all the hype around, there has not been any concrete progress in this front on the ground. Vital exit points of rivers, particularly the ones originating from the city (if we can really call them ‘rivers’ rather than ‘drains’) need to be treated before they feed the Umiam lake so that if needed, the water can be used for human consumption without affecting power generation.
From all indications, one can foresee that all future conflicts and wars would be to gain control over the precious little water that will be available on the surface of the earth. Therefore, Government needs to be prepared to avoid any eventualities. It can come up with appropriate legislation to regulate water bodies including the pricing of water charged by the bore well owners and water tankers in the interest of the general public.
While stressing on the need to harvest rain water and conservation of water resources, I have cited some examples from closest places within a range. However, the story is similar and therefore, applicable across the length and breadth of the State. Notwithstanding the gravity of the issues under consideration, all the suggestions might still go to the drain owing to fund crunch in the State. Of course, it will depend on the MDA Government’s priority in using its limited resources. Public should ask our honorable Chief Minister whether political appointments or the National Games, etc. are more important than regular payment of salary of the SSA teachers, investment in rain water harvesting, conservation of water bodies, sewage treatment, etc.
Every right thinking citizen of the State will agree that environmental issues should be kept above all other issues because it will decide what lies ahead for all of us in the near future. Going by expert analysis, by 2040, the entire world will face acute water shortage and Meghalaya is no exception; and the million dollar question is-Are we preparing for it?