Shillong, Mar 22: This World Water Day, an effort for water conservation in a village in West Jaintia Hills district has showed how small initiatives carry the hope of rejuvenating our water sources against devastating changes and worst possibilities feared across the globe.
The Sengtrea Multi Purpose Cooperative Society, which has been implementing Regeneration Meghalaya (RM) Project at Umladkhur, stands as a testament to how local action can drive global impact in water conservation.
Through nature-based solutions and community-led efforts, the Society has endeavoured to implement soil & water conservation (SWC) techniques, tackling soil erosion, improving water retention, and building long-term ecological and economic resilience.
“Soil and water conservation is a key aspect of regenerating landscapes and creating livelihoods. We are happy to support communities in harvesting rainwater and regenerating their land,” said Rishabh Khanna, CEO of Earthtree that supports the Society.
In collaboration with RM Project, the Society has implemented gabion structures and gully plugging methods to reduce soil loss and enhance water retention in the village.
Check dams have been built with locally available stones and soil, reinforced with steel pipes, to regulate the water flow. They have also expanded water storage areas, ensuring better retention.
The efforts have led to improvement in water availability for household use, agriculture, and livestock, while soil fertility has increased, supporting higher agricultural productivity.
As the land continues to flourish, additional water conservation techniques — such as contour trenching and vegetative barriers — are being introduced to enhance sustainability.
One of the most notable benefits has been seen in local piggery farms, where a consistent water supply has improved livestock hygiene and well-being.
“Before, we could only raise a few pigs because water was so scarce,” says Mulad, general secretary of the Society.
“With access to more water, we can now sustain larger piggery operations, improving our livelihoods,” he said.
The community is now eager to expand check dam projects to other areas, he added.
