SHILLONG, June 2: In a bid to build 75 water bodies in every district of Meghalaya, the state government has launched the Amrit Sarovar campaign in the state.
According to the statement, the campaign was launched by C&RD Minister, Hamletson Dohling, as part of the observation of Meghalaya Environment Week and Water Conservation Day, during a programme at Umphrew village, Mawlai, on Thursday.
Speaking at the launch event, Dohling argued that drastic steps are required to harvest rainwater.
“Meghalaya is blessed with abundant rainfall but water scarcity is still prevalent. It is time that we need to take drastic steps and look into possible ways and means to harvest the rainwater which nature has given us,” he said.
The minister also exhorted the public to cooperate and develop a sense of responsibility, and to actively take part in the initiative, which, he said, will benefit the community as a whole.
Dohling also informed the gathering that this initiative will not only benefit the present but also the future generations.
“Every year the state, along with the rest of the world, has been observing 5th of June as World Environment Day. This year, the government has decided to hold a weeklong celebration to instill among the masses the need to conserve and preserve our environment,” he said.
The C&RD minister also informed that Rs 450 crore has been doled out to VECs in Meghalaya.
Out of that, Rs 391 crore was released from the Centre for material components, he added.
During the programme, Dohling also handed over prizes and certificates to the winners of the drawing and painting competitions organised by Umphrew Secondary School.
Later in the day, the minister, along with the officials, inspected the site and partook in a tree plantation drive in the vicinity of the proposed pond.
