Sources of water in Meghalaya, one of the wettest places on Earth, are drying up but the state government is largely washing its hands of responsibility.
The North East Water Conclave was held here today where Public Health Engineering Minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar was the chief guest.
Speaking to reporters later, the minister said, “It is alarming that water sources are drying up, so capturing rainwater is necessary.”
Water catchment areas that serve Shillong and other towns in Meghalaya have degraded largely because the government is unable to impose its will on private landowners.
“Unless we buy up land, it will not be easy for the government to take ownership of the catchment areas,” Tongkhar said, adding that the state will need central government financial aid to do so. “We need to protect these catchment areas so that they are untouched. Even tree plantation in these areas is needed. We also need to come up with regulations that catchment areas should not be utilised for any other activities except tree plantation.”
The drying up of water bodies is also making it difficult to implement the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to bring potable piped water to every household.
Some of the damage to water bodies is down to stone and sand mining, which end up causing pollution. However, while it would be better for these activities to stop in the interest of the environment, that would also harm the livelihoods of people who depend on these activities, he added.
The minister called for further capitalising of the resources the state does have, such as by making sure that water in check dams that are created to generate power should also be used for human consumption.
The conclave was organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce. Speakers included the Secretary in the Water Resources Department, SC Sadhu. The inaugural function was followed by plenary sessions where speakers dwelt at length on the topics: ‘Upgradation of water and waste water infrastructure’ and ‘Lleakages in water conveyance lines and storage’.
