World Water Day celebrated by NCI & USTM
Guwahati, March 23: On the occasion of World Water Day, a national conference on “Water for Climate Resilience – North East India” was held at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) on Saturday.
The event was organized by Nature Care Initiative (NCI), a New Delhi-based socio-environmental action group, in collaboration with USTM’s Department of Zoology and Department of Earth Science. The conference was supported by Himalayan News Chronicles, a national magazine covering the Himalayan region.
The conference was graced by distinguished personalities, including Durga Prasad Mishra, Water Technology Expert at Breath Green Pvt Ltd; Dr. Baldev Raj Gupta, eminent journalist and educationist; James Kharkongor, Deputy Project Director of the MegArise Project, Meghalaya; Prof. G.D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM; Srikant Sekhar Sahoo, President of Nature Care Initiative; Reeta Rani Nayak, Editor of Himalayan News Chronicle; Dr. Narayan Sharma from the Department of Environment and Wildlife Biology, Cotton University; Dr. Mirza Zulfiqur Rehman, Associate Fellow at the Indian Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi; and Dr. Nivedita Paul, Director of the Outreach Cell at USTM. The event was also attended by faculty members from the Zoology and Earth Science departments of USTM, along with enthusiastic students focused on environmental conservation.
A highlight of the event was the felicitation of three recipients of the National Water Award 2024 from Meghalaya in recognition of their exemplary contributions to water conservation.
The awardees were: Jibansius Ramshon, 4th National Water Awardee, Headman cum Chairman, VNRMC, Mawkyrdep, Bhoirympong Block; Lamluti Langstang, 5th National Water Awardee, Headman cum Chairman, VNRMC, Khliehrangnah, Laskein Block; and Pretish S. Sangma, 3rd National Water Awardee 2021, Secretary, Aminda Simsangre, recognized for Best Panchayat (North-East Zone). Their dedication to environmental conservation has significantly contributed to the sustainability of the region.
In his keynote address, Chief Guest Prof. Baldev Raj Gupta emphasized the historical and mythological significance of water, underscoring its central role in civilization. James Kharkongor commended NGOs like Nature Care Initiative for recognizing grassroots environmental heroes, stating that their efforts are instrumental in fostering government-supported conservation initiatives. Water technology expert Durga Prasad Mishra highlighted the importance of maintaining natural water bodies, stressing that preservation should take precedence over afforestation.
Speaking at the event, Prof. G.D. Sharma noted that such conferences serve as a catalyst for student engagement in water conservation efforts.
The technical session was conducted by Dr. Narayan Sharma, Dr. Mirza Zulfiqur Rehman, and Dr. Nivedita Paul, with moderation by Durga Prasad Mishra. Students actively participated in discussions on key environmental topics, including the Hanging Bridge of Meghalaya, the Brahmaputra River, Asia’s cleanest village Mawlynnong, and the Umngot River (Dawki River).
As a prominent socio-environmental action group with a pan-India presence, Nature Care Initiative remains committed to addressing environmental challenges. Since its inception in 2014, NCI has worked across multiple domains to foster a healthier ecological balance and sustainable development.
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