SHILLONG, March 24: In a bid to foster the participation of and dialogues between various stakeholders, on promoting sustainable water management and to create awareness on water-related problems, the Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong organised the ‘Peoples’ Water Conclave’ to mark the World Water Day.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo emphasised on rainwater harvesting while lauding efforts of the thirteen Dorbar Shnong which had come together to address their water problems by securing MNREGA at the block-level.
Laloo urged all the stakeholders to come together and work on a long-term localised action plan. She also suggested that the Dorbars can adopt a certain stretch of river/streams and work on maintaining the stretch.
Other speakers stressed on the need for a long-term vision to address the issue of water problems, with special focus on local governing bodies along with the residents to work on maintenance of the water sources.
They pointed out that a dorbar/locality-level or central drain-water/wastewater treatment facility is the need of the hour since the waste waters are entering into the streams, thereby polluting it.
Speakers also mentioned the need to check the solid waste dumping, particularly single-use plastics, into streams/river, citing the recent news on the choking of Wahumkhrah by single-use plastic wastes.
The presentations were followed by a very active discussion.
