Khliehrangnah village in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills has secured third place in the Best Village Panchayat category at the 5th National Water Awards 2023, a prestigious recognition of its community-driven water management efforts.
The awards ceremony, held at Vigyan Bhawan, was graced by the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, while Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil presented awards to 38 winners across nine categories, including best state, district, and urban local body.
The award for Khliehrangnah was received by village headman Lamluti Langstang and MBMA Executive Director Gunanka DB, who have played pivotal roles in implementing sustainable water management initiatives as part of the World Bank-funded Community-Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP).
Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma lauded the village’s success, highlighting the crucial role of community participation in water conservation. He emphasized the importance of government-community collaboration in effectively managing natural resources, calling the achievement a model for other regions.
The National Water Awards honor innovative contributions to water conservation and management across India, supporting the nation’s long-term vision of ensuring water security.