SHILLONG, FEB 19: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Monday informed Rs 344 crore has been sanctioned for protecting the catchments of areas of Umiew in East Khasi Hills District and Ganol in Garo Hills region.
Sangma while replying in the Assembly said the externally aided project was launched just last week.
“This will be a big step towards protecting Umiew and Gano catchment areas,” he said.
The chief minister said that the government of Meghalaya is one of the first governments to come up with a state water policy and there are multiple projects to conserve the water sources in the state.
“We are also one of the few states to work closely with the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) and we have mapped 50,000 springs,” he said.
He also informed that the government is also working towards coming up with over 400-500 reservoir to store water.
The CM said that the water issue is being addressed but it is not easy in view of the problem related to the climate change.
Leader of Opposition Ronnie V Lyngdoh has urged the government to protect the catchment area of Umiew river.
He said that the Umiew river is drying up since very little is being done to protect the catchment area in view of defforestaton going on in large scale.
Sharing similar concerns, UDP legislator from Mawsynram Olan Sing Suin suggested the need for the government to conserve each and every water source at the village lever.
Earlier, Minister in-charge Public Health Engineering (PHE) Marcuise N Marak said that the various sources of water which are supplied to the households under Jal Jeevan Mission are surface sources and ground water.
“With a view to lessen the dependency of water supply only from river Umiew at Mawphlang which is the source of Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme, the proposed source of water to cater to New Shillong Township is river Umkhen,” he said.