The Economic Survey 2025-26 had earlier observed that the rainiest state in India is turning into a water-deficit one due to anthropogenic factors and climate change
SHILLONG, Jan 30: A day after the Economic Survey 2025-26 flagged concerns about water security in Meghalaya, the state government has said that the hill state faces seasonal water stress, despite high rainfall, due to terrain and runoff patterns, with significant water outflow downstream.
Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P Ahammed, who addressed the gathering at the inaugural programme of a two-day international conference here, spoke about the paradox of water scarcity in India’s wettest region.
Jointly organised by the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the international conference titled ‘Scaling Nature-based Solutions for Himalayan Resilience’ aimed to position Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as a pivotal strategy for fortifying climate resilience across mountain ecosystems.
Addressing the gathering, the chief secretary underscored the importance of nature-based and community-led conservation efforts in Meghalaya, while noting that environmental stewardship in the state is deeply rooted in traditional practices and local governance systems.
He highlighted that Meghalaya is among the greenest states in the country, with the majority of forest areas under community management, including sacred forests and community-protected fish sanctuaries that support biodiversity and livelihoods.
Drawing attention to traditional innovations such as the living root bridges and bioengineered structures created by weaving tree roots across streams, Dr Ahammed described them as powerful symbols of intergenerational ecological responsibility.
He emphasised that conservation efforts must focus on securing resources for future generations.
Despite high rainfall, the chief secretary noted that the state faces seasonal water stress due to terrain and runoff patterns, with significant water outflow downstream.
He then referred to climate vulnerability assessments indicating rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and district-level risks.
According to him, the state government, in response, has introduced integrated policies and programmes covering water resource management, electric mobility, organic farming and forest protection.
He also highlighted key achievements, including large-scale mapping of streams and springs, revival of critical springsheds, expansion of ecosystem and forest protection measures, strengthening of community cooperatives and livelihood support through community-based natural resource management programmes supported by national and international partners.
Economic Survey findings
It may be mentioned that the Economic Survey 2025-26, which was tabled in the Parliament on Thursday, took serious note of the drying up of more than half of Meghalaya’s natural springs and observed 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 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.
Conglomeration of experts
According to a statement here, the conference has brought together policymakers, researchers, development partners and community leaders from the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and the wider Hindu Kush Himalaya region. The IHR remains one of the most climate-vulnerable areas globally, battling ecosystem degradation, floods and landslides that threaten food systems and human settlements.
“The event seeks to bridge the gap in NbS implementation, which often remains fragmented. Meghalaya’s institutional model, particularly through flagship programmes like the MegARISE project, is being showcased as a scalable example. These initiatives involve springshed revival, agroforestry, and Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES),” the statement said.
MoU inked
During the inaugural session, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Meghalaya and Nepal to foster cooperation on mountain resilience. Additionally, PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-driven Enterprises) stalls were installed at the venue to display local community-based products.
