Our Bureau
SHILLONG/TURA/NONGPOH/MAWKYRWAT/JOWAI, March 22: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, on Monday accentuated the need to sensitise people on the importance of water and water issues.
Singh was speaking as the chief guest at a function, which was held in Tura to celebrate World Water Day. Various programmes across Meghalaya marked the World Water Day celebrations on Monday.
In Garo Hills, the celebrations were thematised on ‘Valuing Water’.
Singh, who is also chairman of District Water and Sanitation Mission (DSWM), maintained that since Garo Hills receives aplenty rainfall, the region should not face water crisis if trees and water catchment areas are maintained properly.
He added that select agricultural practices and lifestyle such as jhum cultivation and introduction of commercial plantation by replacing water retention trees, have contributed to the dearth of water in the region.
Pointing out the need to safegueard trees and water catchment areas, Singh encouraged the plantation of ficus, bamboo and other trees endemic to the region. Earlier during the function, Singh along with other officials and participants took a pledge to save and preserve water.
In North Garo Hills, a programme was held at the Resubelpara Mini stadium to mark the day.
During the programme, the objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission were also highlighted and the public was asked to coordinate for the successful implementation of the mission in the district.
Celebrations at Mawryngkneng
Different villages under Mawryngkneng Block also celebrated the day by organising a programme during which pledge was administered to various village employment committees, village water sanitation committees and self-help groups.
The programme, which was held at Pomlahier village, was attended by job card holders, self-help groups and members of the Dorbar Dong.
The programme ended with a solemn pledge on water preservation and handing over of the certificate to the village authorities.
At ICAR
The ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya, celebrated the day which was participated by officials from Meghalaya State Government Soil and Water Conservation departments, scientists, students, research scholars and farmers.
According to a statement, the objective of the programme was to sensitise the importance of water conservation and how to overcome water scarcity. Major issues and future challenges were discussed to avert the threat of water crisis in the region and sustain water productivity in hill agriculture and allied sectors.
A farmer-scientist interaction session was also held which focused on the day-to-day problems faced by the farming community and how rainwater harvesting can be used in the best possible way.
At Nongpoh
The office of the District Water Sanitation Mission (DWSM), Ri Bhoi, celebrated the World Water Day by holding various programmes.
PWD Minister, Dasakhiatbha Lamare, graced the occasion as the chief guest and hoped that the central scheme, ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, will cater to people’s needs.
Songs and a short skit related to the Jal Jeevan Mission were also performed during the day.
Other programmes include marathon for boys and girls, slogan and exhibition competition.
The programme was attended by various department heads, officers, headmen, youths and school children.
Arubindo Institute of Indian Culture
A programme was also organised at Arubindo Institute of Indian Culture, Shillong, during which ADC & Project Director, DRDA, D Hynniewta, administered the pledge.
According to a statement, the programme was thematised on ‘Catch the rain, Where it falls, when it falls’.
EKH DC office
To mark the occasion, a three-day training programme was organised by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, in collaboration with the office of the Divisional Soil and Water Conservation Officer, Shillong ( Territorial) Division, Shillong, with the aim to raise awareness on the importance of water harvesting.
South West Khasi Hills
In South West Khasi Hills, the Executive Engineer, PHE, organised a programme, which was thematised on ‘The Value of Water’, at hall of the PHE in Laitlawsang, Mawkyrwat.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, C Kharkongor, dwelt at length about the need to conserve water and not pollute them.
Others who were present at the function include executive engineer PHE Mawkyrwat Division, S Snaitang, SDO (PHE) Mawkyrwat Sub-Division, R Nongdhar, and District Coordinator, JJM, Steven Roy Wahlang.
