SHILLONG, AUG 30: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has said that the government is moving for an amendment to an Act that aims to protect the state’s catchment areas because of shortcomings in its implementation during previous years.
Replying in the assembly, Sangma said that a comprehensive amendment of the Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Area Act, 1990 is under consideration so that the Act can be enfored in a proper manner with the cooperation of the landowners and other stakeholders.
The chief minister acknowledged that the Act could not be implemented effectively because of a lack of other mechanisms for creation of catchment areas except through consent of the land owners, which he said was extremely difficult to secure.
“Therefore, a comprehensive amendment of the act is under consideration. We will have a consultation with landowners (and other stakeholders including dorbar shnongs). We are open to all options, discussion and all kinds of amendment to ensure this Act can be enforced in a proper manner with the cooperation of the landowners (and other stakeholders),” he said.
Sangma said the Act stated that the governmnet may on the advise of the advisory board and on receiving the consent of the landowners may delcare an area to be catchment area.
He however said the government did not get written consent of the landowners in all locations identified for declaration as catchment areas. These are critical areas from where rivers, streams originated and serve as water supply system to any town, village or group of them.
“Therefore, I appeal to our MLAs of this House that we need to work together as the landowners’ consent is required…(this is also) a message to the landowners that we need to work together for the interest of present and future generation to come,” Sangma added.
Further, the chief minister informed that the government had identified over 7000 critical springs in the state and of which, 750 are actually in severe state right now.
“We are coming up with an (action) plan through the soil and water conservation department. We are also working with the PHE department to preserve and conserve and rejuvenate these springs using the latest technologies,” he said.
Earlier while raising concern over the issue, UDP legislator from Mawsynram Ollan Sing Suin urged the government to take care of all catchment areas in view that that there is depletion of water and drying up of water sources. He also suggested the government to consider land acquisition for protection of catchment areas.
Involve local bodies to declare protected areas
UDP legislator from Mawkyrwat Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar urged the government to amend the Act by asking traditional institutions or local bodies to declare an area as protected catchment areas.
“Instead of government identifying and declaring catchment areas, let the community or the syiem delcare on this and get the approval of the government,” he said.
