Shillong, June 2: As part of the observation of Meghalaya Environment Week and Water Conservation Day, C&RD Minister Hamletson Dohling on Wednesday launched the Amrit Sarovar campaign under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and Community Nurseries at a programme held at Umphrew village, Mawlai C&RD Block.

Speaking at the launching programme, Dohling said that the objective of the campaign is to build 75 water bodies in every district of the state. Every year the state, along with the rest of the world has been observing the 5th of June as World Environment Day, this year the government has decided a week – long celebration to instill among the masses the need to conserve and preserve our environment, he said.

Stating that man and nature have a very close relationship, hence we need to take care of our surroundings so that nature can in turn provide us with our needs. Meghalaya is blessed with abundant rainfall but water scarcity is still prevalent, it is time that we need to take drastic steps and look into possible ways and means to harvest the rainwater which nature has given us, he said.

He urged the general public to cooperate, develop a sense of responsibility and to actively take part in this initiative which will benefit the community as a whole. He enlightened the general public that this initiative will not only be beneficial for the present but also for the future generations.

The minister informed that the fund amounting to a total of Rs 450 crores has been allotted to the VECs in the state, out of which Rs 391 crores was released from the centre for material components.

During the programme, the Minister handed over the prizes and certificates to the winners of the drawing and painting competition organised by Umphrew Secondary School, Umphrew.

Later in the day, the Minister along with the officials inspected the site and conducted a tree plantation in the vicinity of the proposed pond.