Meghalaya to initiate geotagging of all catchment areas to protect water sources

Shillong: The Meghalaya government is all set to initiate geotagging of all catchment areas to protect rivers and water sources in the hill state, which have been adversely affected due to several factors, including mining and urbanization, over the years.“We are geotagging all catchment areas to find out what necessary steps can be taken (for their protection),” minister in-charge Public Health Engineering (PHE), Marcuise N Marak said, adding, the department would soon chalk out a plan of action in discussion with other line departments.Underscoring the need to protect catchment areas, the PHE minister said chief minister Conrad K Sangma has already constituted a water expert body, which would hold a conference in Shillong soon. “Experts will be coming from Delhi also. We will sit for a one-day conference (to discuss the important issue),” he said, adding, the event would also be attended by officials from the forest and environment, water resources, soil and water conservation departments.The PHE minister emphasized on the need to provide alternative livelihood to people engaged in mining activities along the catchment areas. “From the department, we have started doing research, and once that is done, I have discussed unofficially with the chief minister about (providing) alternative livelihoods to such people,” he said.Marak further informed that a recent inspection was undertaken by the minister in-charge of water resources Comingone Ymbon of the catchment area of Umkhen river following rampant stone quarrying being carried out near the catchment area, which has been disturbing the water source on which thousands of households in Madanrting and other parts of Shillong depend for supply of water.“Following this, we have taken a decision to send officials from the deputy commissioner’s level to talk to villagers and tell them about the regulations based on which the sources are protected. Though the land is yours, the forest Act and catchment protection Act are also there. So, we are just giving awareness to you if you don’t protect it, we might have to take action,” he said, adding, “That is why the chief minister had directed the DC to send officers to talk to the people there and then to meet some of the rangbah shnongs (village headmen). If they can also go and talk to them (villagers) that see, we depend on drinking water from here, so please take care of our needs”.Marak said informed that the government, through the payment for ecosystem services (PES), is trying to protect the catchment areas across the state.