Jowai, March 22: On World Water Day, a small village in Meghalaya is demonstrating how local action can lead to meaningful change in water conservation and sustainable land management.
In Umladkhur Village, the Sengtrea Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) has successfully implemented soil and water conservation techniques, reversing land degradation and securing vital water resources for the community.
With water scarcity and soil erosion emerging as pressing concerns in Meghalaya and beyond, the Regeneration Meghalaya Project (RM Project) has empowered the cooperative to adopt nature-based solutions such as gabion structures, gully plugging, and check dams. These efforts have significantly improved water retention and restored the land’s fertility.
“Soil and water conservation is a key aspect of regenerating landscapes and creating livelihoods. We are happy to support communities in harvesting rainwater and regenerating their lands,” said Rishabh Khanna, CEO of Earthtree, a key supporter of the RM Project.
The Regeneration Meghalaya Project is a large-scale initiative focused on reforestation and sustainable livelihoods launched on December 9, 2023. The event was graced by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, and representatives from the Swedish Embassy, British High Commission, and AstraZeneca.
Supported by AZ Forest, the project aims to restore 22,670 hectares of land, enhancing biodiversity, soil conservation, and climate resilience. It also supports farmers in cultivating agricultural and agroforestry non-timber commodities such as essential oils and foods, aligning with Meghalaya’s Aromatics Policy and Organic and Natural Farming Policy.
Before engaging with the RM Project, heavy monsoon rains would strip away topsoil, diminishing land fertility and reducing available water sources. Limited resources made it difficult for villagers to invest in conservation infrastructure. However, with community-driven efforts, the situation has changed.
The cooperative has constructed check dams using local stones and reinforced with steel pipes, regulating water flow and expanding storage capacity. These measures have led to increased water availability for households, agriculture, and livestock, improving overall livelihood security.
The transformation is evident in local piggery farms, where reliable water access has enhanced livestock hygiene and well-being. “Before, we could only raise a few pigs because water was so scarce,” said Mulad, the General Secretary of Sengtrea MPCS. “Now, we can sustain larger piggery operations, improving our livelihoods.”
Building on these successes, the cooperative is now introducing additional conservation methods, such as contour trenching and vegetative barriers, to ensure long-term sustainability. Encouraged by the positive impact, the community is eager to expand check dam projects to other areas, securing water for future generations.
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