SHILLONG: Difficult Dialogues in partnership with the Department of Political Science, St. Anthony’s College, Shillong held debates followed by a Dialogue Derivatives at the college conference hall on Monday on the topic “How Real are the Water Woes in Meghalaya?”
Three prominent individuals, namely, Patricia Mukhim, Activist-Journalist & Editor, The Shillong Times, B.K Tiwari, Professor and Founder-Member of Meghalaya Water Foundation and Rosabel Marngar, a youth activist were in a critical solution driven panel discussion which was moderated by Dennis Lallienzuol, an indigenous youth activist.
The panel discussion engaged on real and practical solutions with young people from various colleges in the city.
Water governance, policy implementation, challenges and gaps were examined with regard to water pollution and usage in the state.
The Shillong Times editor pointed out that one of the water woes prevalent in the state is the privatisation of water sources happening in a community in which one or two own a water source, who is eventually selling it to all.
She expressed concern over water crisis in the state adding that the issue of deforestation is contributing to the environment crisis.
She said that water conservation is important and asserted that the people of the state should push the government for water harvesting.
Meanwhile, BK Tiwari said treatment of water has got its limitations. Speaking about a river in Kynshi (West Khasi Hills), he said the river is not supposed to be polluted but sand mining has led to its present state.
Marngar said most young people raise their voice in social media platform and not in reality. She observed that sustainable development is found only in books and not in real life.
Meanwhile, Pratik Saha and Erenbeni Humtsoe from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong emerged the winners of the debate on the motion “Yes to Development: Death Knells to Habitats” which was judged by Jasmine T. Sawian, HOD of EVS Department, St. Edmund’s College, Satrupa Bhattarcharjee, Advocate & Founder President, Jharna Foundation and Shweta Raj Kanwar, Writer & Journalist.
The winners of the debate will be representing North East India at Difficult Dialogues Annual Forum 2020 on in Goa on February 14-16, 2020.
