Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the draft State Water Policy would be presented in the next Cabinet meeting, and stressed the need to create a decisive policy on pollution of water sources and bodies.
The chief minister said this while delivering his inaugural address at the International Seminar on ‘Understanding Water Crisis: The Way Forward’ organized by Synod College, Shillong in collaboration with the P A Sangma Foundation and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority on Thursday.
The Chief Minister lauded Synod College for having the seminar on a subject that is much of a concern throughout the world.
Stating that the issue of water crisis is a global cause of worry, he said that the creation of the Jal Shakti Ministry at the Centre, and having the Water Policy in the State, should be a focused approach on this issue.
He informed that the State Water Policy is set to be presented in the next Cabinet meeting, and the policy takes a holistic approach to water, and encompasses budgeting, prioritizing and equitization of water supply and protection and conservation of catchment and spring shed areas.
Sangma sought the support and cooperation from the public once the water policy is in the public domain.
“Having water professionals who are localized and creating awareness and campaign in the village with the active participation of the public, will determine the success of the Water Policy,” he said.
He also said that having check dams and water reservoirs in the village itself with decentralized system of management involving local bodies will mitigate the problems of water crisis.
Stressing the need to create a decisive policy on pollution of water sources and bodies, Sangma hoped that the deliberations and suggestions in the seminar would reflect in the State Water Policy which will benefit the State and the nation.
Water resources minister, Metbah Lyngdoh also said that water crisis is real and there is a need to take a collective call on mitigating water crisis.
Lyngdoh said that the state water policy would address all concerns related to water, and called for focusing on reduce, recycle and reuse of water while looking into management and distribution of waer.
Adviser to the chief minister and secretary of the P A Sangma Foundation, and Magsaysay Awardee, Dr Rajendra Singh attended the seminar.