Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], November 8 (ANI): Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Kongkal Sangma, on the launch occasion of the ‘Water Smart Kids Meghalaya’ marketing campaign, stated on Wednesday that the state receives 63 billion cubic litres of water yearly by rainfall, which may be very excessive, nonetheless, the state is ready to retain only one billion cubic litres of water.
The Meghalaya Water Smart Kid marketing campaign is an initiative beneath the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to create consciousness about water conservation amongst kids.
“Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on earth. We receive about 63 billion cubic litres of water annually, of which 31 billion cubic litres flow to Bangladesh and 31 billion cubic litres flow to Assam,” stated Sangma.
He stated that to handle the problem of water conservation and sustainability, the State Government has taken numerous interventions, that are supported by externally aided initiatives (EAPs) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.The Meghalaya CM additional knowledgeable that 1000 water reservoirs are being constructed throughout the State, in order to harness the water and enhance the groundwater desk by totally different soil rejuvenation initiatives.
“We are making concerted efforts to harness water as it is imperative to ensure sustainability and rejuvenation of our water sources”, he stated.He additionally knowledgeable that the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has acquired big funding beneath JJM and EAPs, which is near round 8000 crore.
“We have a challenge ahead of us but our officials have been working tirelessly to achieve the targets in ensuring that water is made available to every household in the State”, stated Sangma. He knowledgeable that beneath JJM, the State has been awarded as “best performer” by the Ministry of Jal Shakti with extra incentives sanctioned.
He additional stated that the state has accomplished over 4 lakh family fastened water connections and by March 2024, the goal of 6 lakh will likely be accomplished.”In 2019, media and other stakeholders ridiculed the Government for poor coverage under JJM, however, we took it as a challenge and ensured that we managed to increase the household connections from 45,000 to 4 lakh plus”, he stated, whereas informing on challenges related to terrain for laying of pipe connection, to figuring out water sources and creation of reservoirs.
The Chief Minister and Public Health Engineering (PHE) minister, Marcuise Marak, handed over the awards to Water Guardians for uplifting efforts within the conservation of water our bodies.
The awards got to Lumshyiap Village and Water Sanitation Community of Ri Bhoi District, Darechikgre Village and Water Sanitation Community of West Garo Hills District and Dura Kantragre Village and Water Sanitation Community of West Garo Hills District. (ANI)