Guardian Network Foundation, PHED Land Resources, Water Resources and Soil & Water Conservation departments jointly organised the World Water Day at Tiyi Hall, Wokha on 22nd March 2022.
Special guest, ADC, Wokha, Lankonsen T Tsanglao, while addressing the gathering said water issue is becoming very serious and since the beginning of the year, a very dry time due to rise in temperature is being experienced, and he called for proper maintenance of water bodies and stream so that there is proper utilization of water. Raising concern due to the ongoing road construction which is polluting the air, the ADC said the District Administration has been directing the contractors to sprinkle water twice a day but even then, it gets dried-up in 20 to 30 minutes because of the rising temperature and urged citizens to bear as District Administration is also trying its best for the safety of the public.
He also stated that, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2 (two) has already started since 2022 which will go on for 5 years and as a part of the initiative of SBM, the department of Municipal Affairs is conducting cleanest ULB competition award (cleanest town) for which a committee has already being constituted and the team/committee will be visiting all the towns in the state and our district/town is expected that the verification team will be visiting on the 24th & 25th March. Tsanglao urged all the sanitation committee in their respective wards/colonies to gear up the work so that our wards/colonies get due recognition and make our town clean and a better place.
Executive Engineer, Water Resources, Wokha, Er. S. Benri Kithan emphasising on the topic “Underground water, making the invisible, visible”, said ground water is a very important natural source and has a significant role in the economy, and a main source for irrigation and the food industry as well. He also said the importance of groundwater is to find the right balance between withdrawing and letting the aquifer’s level recover to avoid over exploitation and to avoid pollution of this crucial resources, lastly call for the need for understanding our groundwater system and for proper management and community efforts.
A brief presentation on the data of average annual rainfall of all observatory and annual rainfall report in the state, was presented by the Department of Soil and Water Conservation where the resource person, stated that in the recent years the intensity of rainfall has increased which is a hallmark sign of climate change which need to be addressed seriously and call for proper management and conservation of water resources and urged all to put our heads together to address this issue to bring about a lasting solution.
Land Resources Officer, Wokha, Tepunol Yore while dwelling on spring-shed management, said the Department is focussing and working covering in all rural areas in the district to provide and increase water by method of extracting underground water through spring-shed, as spring-shed management focus to recharge underground water.
Yore called for rejuvenation of the spring-shed through community mobilization and sensitization by way of people should have the sense of belongingness and take ownership as those wells are even drying up and declining. He further added that department is giving more effort that spring-shed to be rejuvenated into perennial source of water by taking up certain measures for better availability of water throughout the season.
“Sensitization, awareness & importance on water related topics” was presented by department of PHED and its implementing Support Agency Team Metamorphosis.
(Zubenthung, IA Wokha)
