Shillong, July 3: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday sounded an alarm over Meghalaya’s deepening climate crisis, revealing that the state has recorded a rainfall deficiency of more than 80% in June, as he called for immediate, coordinated action to safeguard food and water security.
Addressing a workshop titled “Developing State Response for El Niño Preparedness: Strengthening Food and Water Security,” Sangma described the situation as an “existential crisis” and urged government departments, communities and institutions to move beyond planning and into action.
“Climate change is no longer a future challenge; it is our present reality. While forecasts may change, preparedness cannot wait,” he said, adding that officials must adopt flexible, data-driven strategies grounded in local realities rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
“We cannot wait for perfect plans. We must act now. Every step we take today will shape the resilience of future generations,” he said.
Natural farming push gains national attention
The Chief Minister also highlighted Meghalaya’s natural farming initiatives, which he said have drawn recognition at the national level, including praise from the Prime Minister. He said the approach offers a sustainable route to climate resilience but stressed the need for innovation tailored to the state’s specific terrain and conditions.
“Natural farming offers us a sustainable and practical pathway to reduce the impact of climate change. However, we must innovate and adapt practices suited to Meghalaya’s unique conditions,” he said.
Focus on water conservation infrastructure
The chief minister called for an integrated strategy combining water conservation, spring rejuvenation, and the construction of water retention structures such as check dams and reservoirs, adding that the true measure of success lies not in the number of schemes launched but in their tangible impact.
“Success should not be measured by schemes alone, but by the real difference we make in people’s lives,” he said.
Call for community ownership
Chief minister Conrad K Sangma placed strong emphasis on grassroots participation, appealing to elected representatives, traditional institutions, self-help groups and students to help build awareness and shared responsibility for climate resilience.
“This is not a one-time effort. It is a continuous process that must involve every section of society, from our farmers and scientists to our youth and community leaders,” he said, adding that while no plan could guarantee complete protection from the crisis, collective, urgent action could significantly reduce its impact.
The workshop was attended by senior government officials, Deputy Commissioners, agricultural experts and other key stakeholders, who deliberated on strategies to strengthen the state’s preparedness against El Niño-induced disruptions and build long-term food and water security.
