DEPARTMENTS URGE CITIZENS TO CONSERVE WATER AND PRACTICE RAINWATER HARVESTING
“World Water Day” (WWD) is observed every year on March 22 to focus attention on the global water crisis. Various departments in Nagaland observed the day under the theme for 2021, “valuing water”.
Kohima: Department of PHE organised WWD at DC’s conference hall, Kohima. According to DIPR report, while delivering the keynote address, executive engineer, PHED, R Kohima division, Supongyanger stated that this year’s theme focused on targeting beyond the concerns of cost to include the environmental and socio-cultural value placed on water resources and about what water meant to people, its value and how one could protect this essential life resource. He urged citizens to practice ways to conserve water by following some important and easy ways to conserve water.
He advised them to keep the tap closed when not in use; not to ignore water leaks which would lead to drain out huge amount of water; practicing rainwater harvesting; find ways to recharge ground water; protect water resources and find ways to conserve water pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. DC Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie urged PHE department to create awareness on rain water harvesting particularly for a place such as Kohima where water crisis occurred especially during the dry season and requested the department to ensure safe drinking water for citizens.
Emphasizing on safe drinking water, chemist, DWSM, PHED Kohima division, Dziesetseinuo Kiso said that safe water should ideally be clear with no smell, free from pathogens, not salty and free from chemicals. She mentioned that according to WHO report, an estimate 1.1 billion people in the world drink unsafe water, approximately 3.1% of the global annual death (1.7 million) and 3.7% (54.2% million) of the annual burden are caused by the use of unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation and hygiene.
Wokha: Department of executive engineer office PHED Wokha observed WWD. According to DIPR report, while delivering the keynote address, DWSM Wokha, district coordinator Aremo Ovung encouraged the gathering to be torchbearers in creating awareness on the global water crisis and the urgent need for conserving water. He also sensitised the gathering about “Jal Shakti Abhiyan-catch the rain campaign; where it falls, when it falls” which aims to encourage the public to construct rain water harvesting structures. Stressing on the theme, IEC consultant Khonzani Kithan elaborated on the judicious use of water, importance of water and its health benefits. She also urged the gathering to focus on the current water crisis and to cooperate in order to overcome the crisis. The program was chaired by sanitation & hygiene consultant, PHED Wokha, Vimezo Nyiseno.
Dimapur: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema, organised WWD where the function was graced by advisor, sericulture, excise and minority affairs, Zhaleo Rio as special guest. In a press release, i/c head, KVK Dimapur, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Medziphema, Dr. Ebibeni Ngullie stated that during his speech, Zhaleo enlightened the gathering about the multiple use of water based on its utility and location and stressed on clean water for drinking purpose. College of Vety. Sciences and AH, CAU, Jalukie, dean Dr. AK Sangwan talked about Nagaland being naturally blessed state with abundant rain and water but said that most of the water was not harvested but wasted. He deliberated on creation of water reserves and also water management for efficient use in agriculture, livestock, industries etc. ICAR Nagaland Centre, joint director Dr. D. J. Rajkhowa also shared about the current status of water of the state as well as the global scenario. ICAR Res. complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya, ex-director Dr. SV Ngachan and pro-vice chancellor, NU, SASRD, Medziphema, professor M. Aleminla Ao also spoke at the function.
Mokokchung: World water day was observed at PHED Mokokchung division executive engineer office with ADC Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh as the guest of honour.
Speaking at the programme, Singh urged the gathering the need for a practical approach to reduce and reuse of water and reminded it should start from the households. He was referring to the hue cry for water scarcity during the dry season in most of the hilly districts of the state and opined that rainwater harvesting in a micro-level during the rainy season would be key to alleviate water scarcity in hilly districts. PHED Mokokchung division, executive engineer Yanger Pongen, dwelt on the subject of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and informed that JJM was at an early stage in the district. He called upon the swachhagrahis to spread awareness to the people to fulfil the mission since JJM was implemented in a time-bound mode to be completed by 2015.
Pongen further alarmed that most of the water catchment area/source of water supply in the district was drying up drastically. In this connection, he called upon WATSAN and village councils to spread awareness to stop deforestation in the water catchment area.
