Northeast Desk, 12th July: East Khasi Hills District has emerged as a leader in Meghalaya’s water conservation efforts, according to a recent review of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan-Catch the Rain programme. The assessment, conducted by Angshuman Dey, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) and Central Nodal Officer for the initiative, took place at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
The district has successfully mapped, constructed, and geotagged over 3,500 water bodies and structures, overcoming initial delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Key departments, including Soil & Water Conservation, Water Resources, and Forests & Environment, have been instrumental in implementing various interventions such as rainwater harvesting structures, traditional water body renovations, and afforestation efforts.
Dey commended the district’s progress while identifying areas for further improvement. He emphasized the importance of involving women in the “Nari Shakti to Jal Shakti” campaign and encouraged greater community engagement. Additionally, he suggested enhancing the Jal Shakti Kendra to serve as an information hub for citizens.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan, launched in 2019, initially focused on water-stressed districts across India. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expanded the initiative to include all districts nationwide under the “Catch the Rain – Where it Falls, When it Falls” theme.
District and block-level committees in East Khasi Hills are now preparing comprehensive water security plans. The review meeting saw attendance from various officials, including representatives from the Central Ground Water Board and local development authorities.
Following the meeting, Dey and his team visited the Jal Shakti Kendra in Shillong to evaluate its operations firsthand, further underlining the district’s commitment to sustainable water management.
Read More: Meghalaya Launches State-Owned OTT Platform ‘Hello Meghalaya’ to Boost Local Talent