Shillong: Meghalaya Soil and Water Conservation Minister, Marcuise N. Marak, has said that the Water Resources Department has identified 747 critical water sources in the state for rejuvenation.
Addressing the 2nd All India State Water Ministers’ Conference in Udaipur, Rajasthan, the minister said the Meghalaya government has initiated corrective measures to revive 747 water sources in response to the severe water crisis caused by their depletion.
The water resources department has identified critical water sources in Meghalaya, including springs, conservation ponds, dugout ponds, and irrigation check dams each vital for sustaining water supply, particularly in water-scarce areas.
“The state has also mapped 55,915 springs, many of which are at risk due to over-extraction and environmental degradation,” Marak added.
“Surveys under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have confirmed that these 747 water sources are either drying up or experiencing reduced discharge rates. If left unaddressed, this could lead to a severe water crisis for our communities. Protecting and rejuvenating these critical water sources is essential to ensuring long-term water security and sustaining livelihoods across the state,” he added.
He further added, “Although Meghalaya receives abundant rainfall, 80% of its villages rely on springs for drinking water and irrigation. However, half of these springs have either dried up or experienced a significant decrease in water flow. This problem is worsened by harmful practices like mining, unsustainable farming, and deforestation.”
“As a state, we are implementing sustainable water management and conservation measures to lessen the impact on both power generation and daily water supply,” he stated.
The 2nd All India State Water Minister’s Conference was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on 18 & 19 February 2025.
The conference is a continuation of the first All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on 5 & 6 January 2023.
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The Conference was organized to discuss strategies and concrete action plans to achieve the country’s long-term water security strategy and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
The 2nd All India State Water Minister’s Conference was organised by the National Water Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
