From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI, Jan 29: The much-awaited Economic Survey, a precursor to the annual Union Budget tabled in Parliament on Thursday, took serious note of the drying up of more than half of Meghalaya’s natural springs, observing that the rainiest state in the country is turning into a water-deficit one due to anthropogenic factors and climate change.
“Meghalaya is experiencing increasing concerns about water security, with water flow at nearly half of the state’s springs either dried up or showing a significant reduction in water discharge,” stated the bulky survey presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The survey generally takes note of back-to-back challenges to the Indian economy, emphasising its strong macroeconomic performance.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had previously raised an alarm over the deepening crisis, citing a recent study by the state’s Soil & Water Conservation department that mapped over 55,000 of the state’s 70,000 identified spring sheds. According to the grim findings, 792 water sources were found to be in critical condition, with many dried up completely and some beyond revival, even as water-related projects worth Rs 8,000 crore have been implemented.
Many of these spring sheds support supply systems under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state capital, Shillong. In response, the state government has established a climate council, chaired by the chief minister, to coordinate efforts across departments, the survey noted.
The survey also took note of the community-centric adaptation strategy, which includes interventions such as the Protection of Vulnerable Catchment Areas in Meghalaya (MegARISE), the Spring Mapping Initiative and the Climate-Adaptive Community-Based Water Harvesting Project. The MegARISE project aims to enhance water availability and security by protecting critical catchment areas.
The initiative focuses on watershed treatment, forest restoration and participatory community involvement, with plans to establish plantations over 8,430 hectares and to treat and protect two key catchments—Umiew and Ganol. Advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping has been utilised to capture more than 55,000 springs to enable timely corrective actions, the survey noted.
“Over 500 community-based water-harvesting projects are also being established to improve climate resilient water management for communities in the state,” the survey said.
These initiatives not only aim to secure water resources but also empower communities to adapt to the changing climate effectively, it said, adding that these measures collectively strengthen water security while enhancing community resilience to climate change in the state.
An analysis of the causes of the drying of so many springs found that deforestation, soil erosion, unscientific mining, quarrying and land use changes for infrastructural development reduce the land’s natural “sponge action” and rainwater infiltration.
Erratic rainfall patterns, increased temperatures and prolonged dry spells during the winter months impact groundwater recharge.
In addition, traditional jhum (slash-and-burn) cultivation, particularly in areas like the Garo Hills, contributes to soil degradation and water source depletion. Rapid population growth and urbanisation increase the demand for water and put pressure on existing water resources.
It is pertinent to note that the Meghalaya government, in collaboration with communities and various schemes, is implementing a spring-shed management approach which also includes initiatives focused on artificial groundwater recharge in the identified spring-shed areas using various soil and moisture conservation works.
Furthermore, construction of staggered contour trenches, digging of staggered pits, check dams and water-harvesting structures have also been taken up, besides large-scale afforestation and the promotion of suitable agroforestry models using indigenous species in degraded catchment areas to improve vegetative cover and rainwater percolation.
