TURA, April 2: The state government on Saturday launched a pilot project worth Rs 1.20 crore on Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) for restoration of Ganol catchment.
The Ganol Hydro Power project, with a capacity of 21.5 MW, is being implemented in Chibragre, around 15 km from Tura. The project, which is the first hydro power project in the Garo Hills region, has encountered several delays since it was conceived in 2006.
Launching the project, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed that the project will be the first of its kind in the North East which aims at providing cash support to communities to preserve and protect existing forests.
Informing that the prevailing environmental issues have been attributing to the water scarcity, the chief minister said that the PES has been formulated keeping in mind various climactic and environmental challenges.
“In this project, the government will be not only telling the public about the different policies and different actions that they should do but also helping them financially to be able to make up for the loss of livelihood or the challenges that they might face in the process and, at the same time, to ensure that the government works in collaboration with the community to be able to build trust and faith, and be able to work together to find a solution to different environmental problems,” the chief minister said.
He also said the government is faced with the challenge to balance livelihood and environment protection.
Informing that the government plans to have 4,200 sq km catchment areas in the state, Conrad assured support to the people for livelihood improvement.
Government Chief Whip Marcuise N Marak, who also was part of the programme, exhorted the villagers to take measures for preservation of catchment areas of Ganol river.
The programme was also attended by district officials, village elders and locals, among others.
The chief minister, during his visit, inspected the ongoing work of the 22.5 MW Ganol Hydel Project and paid visit to the site of the catchment area.
Taking to Twitter, Conrad also assured the completion of the much-delayed project.
“Inspected the hydropower powerhouse of the Ganol Hydel Project. Civil works are ongoing & directions have been given to the Department & Administration to ensure the completion of this important project,” he said.
He also distributed cheques to 50 producer groups worth Rs 1.7 crore under the FOCUS programme.
The chief minister also visited the Tura Water Supply Phase II Pump House at Edenbari where the water for supply to Tura town is being treated.