The Meghalaya State Watershed and Wasteland Development Agency, under the Directorate of Soil and Water Conservation, organised a ‘Watershed Yatra Awareness’ event today at the State Central Library premises here.
The event featured the sale of products from self-help groups (SHGs) nurtured under the New Generation Watershed Development Project of WDC-PMKSY 2.0.
Cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh highlighted that the National Yatra utilises technology to enhance water management by collaborating with self-help groups, particularly farmers and those involved in agriculture.
She explained that this centrally-funded water conservation programme is being implemented in collaboration with various departments. “Meghalaya is blessed with abundant rainfall but with the onset of the winter season we often face acute water shortages,” she noted.
Lyngdoh emphasised the importance of initiating converged programmes that involve the community, church leaders and civil society. “Without proper water conservation, we will continue to suffer. With 70 percent of our population engaged in farming activities, there is an urgent need for departments to work together to manage and conserve water for communal use,” she stated, expressing that the Watershed Yatra symbolises a commitment to reach every district in the state.
She also mentioned that the state has constructed 1,390 water harvesting structures over 3,000 hectares, which will serve as a vital resource for many communities facing severe water shortages during the dry season.
