A convergence meeting on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in West Garo Hills district was convened by Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh to discuss the successful implementation of the mission through the cooperation of line departments along with the support of community participation in the block and village levels.
The Block Development Officers (BDOs) of the district, officials of line departments and PHE department attended the meeting held at DRDA Conference Hall, Tura yesterday evening.
Speaking during the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner spoke about the aims and objectives of the mission. Stating that convergence through community participation is one of the key components of the mission, he said that coordination with the officials of line department and stakeholders is necessary so that they can collaborate and make use of the already existing spring chambers, check dams or water catchment areas constructed by these departments for providing household tap connections.
Besides, he said that people also should be sensitized about the importance of water and preservation of water sources so that they learn to protect and rejuvenate the catchment area for the benefit of the present and future generation as well.
The Deputy Commissioner also emphasised on the fragile environment due to large scale destruction of forest cover in the region which is paving way for various plantation crops like arecanut.
He informed the people that Arecanut Plantation under MGNREGS has been discouraged in the district in order to encourage Natural Resource Management and allied activities.
Meanwhile on the sanitation and hygiene part, he directed the concerned officials to attend the Village Health and Sanitation Meeting being held regularly in villages and give awareness to the people with regard to conservation of water sources in their respective areas.
Moreover, in order to rejuvenate and revive the water sources in the region, he urged everyone to continue planting bamboo saplings in and around the water catchment areas and reduce commercial plantation especially in this areas.
