SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government is proposing a significant investment of over Rs 515 crore to construct water harvesting structures and reservoirs across all 12 districts.
This initiative aims to enhance the state’s water storage capacity by 2031.
Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the External Aided Projects (EAP), the Climate Adaptive Community-Based Water Harvesting Project in Meghalaya plans to develop these structures to address water scarcity issues.
As per reports, the project aims to identify and construct water harvesting structures at over 532 locations statewide. The timeline for implementation is set between 2024-2025 and 2030-2031, with a total estimated cost of Rs. 515.69 crore.
While the Soil & Water Conservation Department does not have any specific project for the protection and conservation of the Umiew and Ganol Basins, the Forest Department is actively identifying water resources in the state for protection.
In collaboration with the PHE department, the Soil and Water Conservation department will undertake conservation and rejuvenation works for two critical water sources in the Greater Shillong Region –Umpaitmaw under Mylliem Block and Madan Saisiej under Mawpat Block.
The KfW-funded protection of vulnerable catchments in Meghalaya (MegARISE) project is currently in its preparatory stage.
In the Umiew Catchment, a total of 13 micro-watersheds will be treated, covering villages within these micro-watersheds.
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Additionally, the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority has initiated several measures to protect and conserve water sources.
These initiatives include field inspections, drone surveys, spring mapping, protection planning, and stream and river documentation.
These comprehensive efforts aim to ensure sustainable water management and improve water availability for the city’s residents.
