Tura, Mar 2: The Chambagre Village under Selsella C&RD Block in West Garo Hills has been adjudged as the third “Best Village Panchayat” from the North East Zone in the 3rd National Water Awards 2020 for implementing several Integrated Natural Resource Management activities for water security and sustainability.

Chambagre village has about 42 households. Their main occupation is farming which includes agriculture and horticulture with focus on areca nuts, black pepper, cashew and paddy cultivation. However, the village also faces severe water shortages. The Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP) and MGNREGA awareness programmes for the community of Chambagre was conducted in 2017, as part of convergence initiatives. The community was very cooperative and open to planning and implementing improved methods of Natural Resource Management.

Through the project, two water tanks were constructed in the upper and lower regions of Chambagre. Also, an Irrigation Canal was constructed and about 5000 water retaining species such as indigenous forest trees were planted. It may be mentioned here that the spring water in the area that is the Wanok Chiring and Chirent Chireng is perennial, but the water supply can dry up during the lean seasons. However, following the interventions the water in these springs has increased discharge and has benefitted 36% of the farming households in the village. These initiatives have benefitted the village to a great extent.