Patkai: Accelerating change to solve water and sanitation crisis

March 23, 2023 24 Views No Comment

Patkai, March 23 (MExN): World Water Day 2023 was observed at Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) with the theme ‘accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis,’ with focus on challenges, shortages and preservation of water, among others.

The college stated in its press release that the event was organised by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), North Eastern Region, under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Addressing the occasion as chief guest, Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB), Chairman Rusovil John, IFS (RTD) highlighted the significance of water for humans and how it is essential for survival as well prevention of various diseases. He also talked about the challenges of managing water in Nagaland, including the decreasing groundwater level due to population pressure in towns and cities.

“The state receives enough rainfall but population pressure due population in towns and cities the ground level water is depleting,” he said.

Rusovil highlighted the issue faced by villages, usually situated on top of the mountain in Nagaland, higher than the spring, which poses logistical challenges, including laying of pipelines and other projects.

He also highlighted the common problem of floods cities like Dimapur and Kohima due to careless management of waste and plastics which choke the drainage during the first shower. To meet various challenges, he called for sustained campaign to spread awareness, sensitising the general public and working together to address the water crisis and sanitation issues.

The guest of honour, EAC Chümoukedima Seyiekhrietuo Solo called the water the ‘future currency’ and touched upon the issue of water shortage in towns and cities in Nagaland. One of the main contributing factors for such shortages is due to deep ring wells, he opined, further suggesting for more stringent action and rules against unabated exploitation of water resources.

Presiding over the proceedings, Regional Director CGWB North Eastern Region, Suresh Chandra Kapil emphasized on the importance conservation water in India, which share of the just 4% of the world’s fresh water but where 16% of the global population lives. Globally, till 2020 ,74%of the global population had access to safely managed drinking water, but still two billion people live without safely managed drinking water service, he informed. He also stated that more than 50% of households in all the North-East states have access to water sources but it was are not within their premises.

Earlier, the event began with welcome and key note address by CGWB, and concluded with rendition of few lines from the poem, ‘I Am Water’ by Renu Rakheja.