Chief Minister Conrad Sangma formally unveiled the Protection of Vulnerable Catchment Areas in Meghalaya (MegARISE) and also inaugurated the Sustainable Land Management Meghalaya Project (SLM) and at a programme held at the State Convention Centre here today.
These externally aided projects (EAP) are co-funded by Germany’s KfW Development Bank and the Government of Meghalaya.
MegARISE project will be implemented with a financial outlay of Rs 344 crore. It is designed to tackle the pressing challenges of water security and the sustainable management of water resources in Meghalaya.
Building on the Government of Meghalaya’s 2019 Water Policy, which called for the establishment of Water Resources Councils at the village, block, district, and State levels, the project emphasises the preparation and implementation of water security, micro-watershed, and catchment plans.
The initiative focuses on two critical areas: the Umiew catchment, which secures the water supply for Shillong, and the Ganol catchment, which ensures water availability for Tura.
By addressing unsustainable catchment management practices, MegARISE aims to enhance both water security and local livelihoods through scientific, participatory methods and community-led forest management. Key measures include participatory planning, capacity building, improving forest ecosystems, and strengthening community livelihoods, all aimed at fostering long-term sustainability in the region’s water resource management.
The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) project aims to promote agroecological and natural/organic agricultural practices among Meghalaya’s farmers. By enhancing and transitioning existing farming methods, the project seeks to increase the value of agricultural products and improve market accessibility.
The key initiatives will be carried out by the partner implementing agencies which included the Directorate of Horticulture (DoH), the Bio-Resources Development Centre (BRDC), and the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS), with the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) serving as the project executing agency (PEA).
A critical component of the SLM project is to support farmers in obtaining certifications like NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) and PGS (Participatory Guarantee Systems), which will elevate the credibility and marketability of their produce.
The overarching objective is to connect farmers to remunerative markets, while also addressing debt burdens and boosting productivity. Through the promotion of organic farming, empowerment of farmer capacities, tackling certification challenges, and strengthening market linkages, the project will work to improve both the livelihoods and long-term sustainability of Meghalaya’s agricultural communities.
