1601 springsheds constructed in past 5 years under MGNREGS
Shillong, Mar 3: Water-related projects worth over ₹4,000 crore, including rejuvenation of nearly 800 critical water bodies, are being implemented in the state, the state assembly was told on Monday.
The government has identified over 70,000 springsheds across the state, of which 55,000 have been mapped so far.
“Steps are being taken to rejuvenate 792 critical water bodies on a war footing,” chief minister Conrad K Sangma said in reply to a question raised by VPP legislator from Mawryngkneng, Heavingstone Kharpran.
During a study, the 792 water bodies were found to have reached a critical phase where they have completed dried up.
These water bodies are providing water sources to projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the chief minister said.
“Soil and Water Conservation department has come up with a ₹32-crore project and 67 springsheds will be rejuvenated on a war footing in order to bring back life to these springs,” he said.
Sangma also informed that 1601 springsheds have been constructed in the past five years at a cost of ₹46.62 crore under Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
“All the 1601 sprinsheds are success stories in itself,” he said.
Village employment councils (VECs), local people and the community are managing and monitoring the assets created under the scheme.
According to him, the process of ensuring the springsheds are rejuvenated and maintained are an ongoing process.
Meanwhile, the government is also monitoring availability of water in the springs with the help of technology as well as volunteers on ground.
“Today with the availability of technologies, we are able to monitor the level of water in the springs and almost 13,000 volunteers (VCFs) are trained to monitor (and report) so that we can take necessary steps (and multiple interventions for springshed rejuvenation),” he said.
Besides, a $62 million project under Asian Development Bank (ADB) to rejuvenate springshed and construction of 532 structures will be implemented in the state, the chief minister said.
Claiming that Meghalaya is one of the few states to have a water policy, Sangma said water-related projects taken up in the state worth over ₹4,000 crore.
“All water-related departments for the first time are talking to each other (for rejuvenating the water bodies in the state),” Sangma mentioned adding that the government has increased its spending in in water-related projects.
The government is also trying to ensure that 30% of MGNREGS works be related to water management.
To consider water a holistic issue, the state also has a climate council headed by the CM, he said.
Earlier, VPP MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit wanted to know if Shillong ropeway project would affect the water sources in the area.
In reply, the chief minister said, “Detailed mapping where pillars will be installed have been done by the forest department, Soil and Water Conservation and international agencies to ensure we are not affecting water sources and forest areas. Therefore, assessment is being done at multiple levels.”
The issue has been looked into where the forest department has emphasized the need for trimming of trees to avoid need to cut down many trees and also creation of fire-lines to prevent forest fire, he said.
