Resubelpara, March 20: Deputy Speaker & Resubelpara MLA, Timothy D Shira, flagged off the Watershed Yatra Van at Raja A•pal in North Garo Hills on Thursday.
The Watershed Yatra Van, which was earlier launched by the government on March 19 in the state capital Shillong, travelled throughout the state and arrived in the Garo Hills region at Raja A•pal, North Garo Hills on Thursday. The watershed yatra van will then move forward to the rest of the districts under Garo Hills region in the following days.
The Watershed yatra moves across the districts and states with the objective to spread awareness about water development activities carried out under WDC of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY 2.0).
Deputy Speaker, Timothy D Shira was joined by Soil & Water Conservation & PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak, Bajengdoba MLA Pongseng Marak, Mendipathar MLA Marthon Sangma, Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin, Commissioner & Secretary SWCD Dr Joram Beda, officials of District Administration and other officials of Soil & Water Conservation, North Garo Hills.
Addressing the gathering, Dy Speaker Shira emphasised the importance of soil and water conservation for the present and the future generations. He recalled the period where rivers and streams used to be filled to the brim and water availability was in abundance. But with changing times, population growth and unsustainable water management, the demand for water have become a crisis.
Therefore, through this programme, Shira pressed upon the gathering to act collectively in sustainably conserving and protecting natural resources; water bodies, forests etc, for bringing about improved livelihoods and the preservation of environment simultaneously.
Meanwhile, PHE Minister said the Watershed Yatra was not only about highlighting the importance of watershed but it was a movement to initiate water sufficiency. He called for concerted efforts from all individuals, communities, village leaders, youths and the self-help groups to create awareness about water conservation.
While the state has been progressing in various key sectors such as road & connectivity, health, education and other infrastructures, it is imperative to address the pressing issue of water crisis at its roots. The launching of watershed yatra would generate mass awareness on soil – water management, environment conservation and thereby fostering sustainable livelihoods, stated the Minister.
He also informed the gathering, that meetings were also being held at all village level to ensure that the message of water conservation was being reach out to all.
As a move to encourage Watershed communities, individuals who have contributed in effective implementation of WDC in the Garo Hills region and were acknowledged as Watershed Warriors namely Venny Ricky Marak from Elatchi Apal (Lower Dame Watershed) North Garo Hills, Nikrak Marak from Dopgre Village (Rongbilbang Watershed) West Garo Hills and Gripson Sangma from Badri Rongdong ( Rongdongnala Micro Watershed) South Garo Hills were honoured with a cash prize of twenty five thousand rupees and citations respectively.
Marking an impactful step towards a greener future, dignitaries also planted tree saplings as part of the programme.
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