Shillong city which was on the brink of massive water scarcity was saved from the crisis in time due to the arrival of rainfall much to the relief of city residents.
The rains have been able to fill up most of the water sources like the Mawphlang dam which is the main reservoir supplying drinking water to Shillong city.
PHE Minister Marcuise Marak today acknowledged that human activities like sand mining and stone quarrying were the reasons for drying up and destruction of water catchment areas.
The recent drop in the water level of Mawphlang dam immediately put the PHE Department and the State government on their toes to find short and long-term solutions to the water problem.
Marak informed that recently the chief minister called for a review meeting of officials of all departments and agencies dealing with water sources and water bodies such as PHE, Soil and Water Conservation, Forest, MBDA etc.
“All these officials were called to delve into the short-term and long-term measures that can be taken. The chief minister has instructed the officials to start preparing all the projects and the different departments are on the job for rejuvenation of the water sources,” Marak said.
Asked if the State government would find ways to curb mining activities near water catchment areas, Marak said that mining is a source of livelihood and the government is of the view that people should be given alternative sources of livelihood in order that they are not dependent on sand mining in water sources or rivers.
The minister said that experts are looking into the options for alternative sources of livelihood for such people.
“Once it’s completed, if it comes for consideration the department will decide accordingly,” Marak said.
Stating that the government is taking serious steps to address the water issue, Marak informed that the PHE Department is working on a system for rainwater harvesting to recharge the groundwater.
“The government is preparing a report for that. Once the government considers that, we will try to motivate our people to adopt that system which will recharge our groundwater. It’s a simple system, wherein you dig a pond close by and drain rainwater or direct the rainwater to that pond which will help recharge groundwater,” the minister said.
