Agriculture Production Commissioner, Nagaland, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS met Union Secretary, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Pankaj Kumar, IAS, who is also the former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, at New Delhi on 13th October 2021.
Sema shared about the water scarcity in the State which has been compounded by the drought like situation during the year. He also mentioned that although Nagaland along with the other NE states receives very high rainfall during the monsoon, but during the lean season experiences water scarcity even for drinking purpose. He emphasised that food security and doubling the crops of the farmers cannot be achieved without water security.
He expressed his happiness that an officer who has served in Nagaland in various capacities and someone who understands the situation of the regions is now currently the Union Secretary of WR, RD & GR. Sema appealed to the Union Secretary to formulate the policy and schemes on water conservation and management for the hilly states.
The APC stressed on the importance of catchment area treatment and shared his experiences of the springshed development which was introduced and successfully implemented by the Land Resources Department and suggested to the Union Secretary for implementation of the similar programmes.
Sema also pointed out that most of the rivers and streams of the region have been exploited and damaged by removal of sands and stones which has adversely affected the Agriculture sector and suggested to introduce programs for rejuvenation of the springs, rivers and river basin management.
The Union Secretary welcomed the suggestions and stated that the union government is also planning to hold consultants and conferences in future to discuss these issues. Kumar admitted that the importance of spring shed and rejuvenation of springs, rivers and water bodies and conveyed that he will also take up the matter with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
(DIPR)
