Water security more important than food security: Nagaland Chief Secy

June 7, 2022 46 Views No Comment

4600 spring waters in critical condition

Morung Express News
Kohima | June 7

“Water security is more important than food security, as the very existence of life depends on water,” said State Chief Secretary, J Alam on Monday. He was addressing the inaugural programme of the 5-day re-orientation training on spring shed management under PMKSY-WDC 2.0 organised by the Land Resources department, as the special guest.

According to information on springsheds in the state provided by the Department of Land Resources, about 4600 spring waters in the state are in critical condition. About 1115 spring waters are in a state for urgent rejuvenation, while only 185 springs have been rejuvenated.

Though Nagaland has been blessed with plentiful rain during the rainy season, the Chief Secretary observed with concern, that water sources are dwindling and water availability is getting more acute with each passing year. Water scarcity is affecting every household as water sources are drying up, he said.

He also pointed out the need for a ‘reality check’ on the Jal Jeevan Mission that envisions to provide adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections, and reasoned that there has to be water in the water sources as “even if we can provide water tap connections, if there is no water in the water source, the mission will be in vain.”

Convergence for water security
Alam emphasised on the urgent need for rejuvenation and conservation of water sources, and asserted that convergence of line departments is crucial to bring water security in the state.

Departments like water resources, agriculture, horticulture and land resources have to come together, put their heads and efforts towards rejuvenating of water sources in the state.
According to Alam, ‘an unhealthy trend’ he observed in the state is the working system of the government departments in isolation and sometimes ‘very secretive.’ “This should not be the working system of the government departments,” he underscored, stressing on ‘convergence’ by sharing knowledge, skills and ideas towards the service of the public.

Mentioning another central scheme ‘Amrit sarovar mission’ which envisions that 75 water bodies will be developed and rejuvenated in each district, Alam viewed it as ‘a huge and challenging task ahead’ which requires all available support and help from the line departments. “And we have to do it,” he asserted.

“Rejuvenating of springshed water is one way towards water security,” said Alam as he urged the line departments to converge, deploy all available energies and resources to achieve the target on a ‘mission mode.’

Why springshed development in Nagaland?
Additional Director, Albert Ngullie said convergence of resources from various agencies under the theme ‘multi-stakeholder initiative to provide drinking water security through springshed management in 100 villages in rural areas of Nagaland’ has been initiated.

The stakeholders, he informed include State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) Nagaland, Rural Development, North East Initaitive Development Agency (NEIDA), Tata Trust, People’s Science Institute (PSI) Dehradun and the Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM) Pune.

Presenting an overview of the springshed management activities of the department, Ngullie said about 4600 springs are to be inventorised on priority. (See table)

The way forward for the department he said, is partnership with national and state agencies and academia including Kohima Science College, in training, knowledge transfer and real-time field facilitation; enhancing the skills of para-hydrogeologists; training more man-power in the districts; rejuvenation of about 270 springs in five new PMKSY-WDC 2.0 projects (through scientific/resource convergence with different stakeholders) and ensuring water security to rural communities.

The resource persons for the 5-day training are Mukesh Patil, Scientist and Kunal Sharad Upajani, Researcher both from ACWADAM Pune.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/water-security-more-important-than-food-security-nagaland-chief-secy