Meghalaya becomes 1st state to ensure Water Conservation
Meghalaya became 1st state in India to ensure conservation of water and have its own State Water Policy. This move comes following a nod given by State Cabinet for the purpose.
Key Highlights
The draft policy was approved by Meghalaya’s State Cabinet in a meeting chaired by state’s Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Amid water crisis in country, this draft water policy of Meghalaya would work towards addressing water issues, conservation, and protection of water sources in state.
About ‘State Water Policy’ of Meghalaya
Objective:
- To recognize water resources as a common pool resource (CPR) as these are susceptible to overuse
- To provide safe and hygienic water for drinking, domestic needs and sanitation
- Livelihood development to all residents of state
Community Participation: Among other things, draft State Water Policy of Meghalaya seeks to protect and improve management of water resources while actively involving community participation.
Mandate:
Policy intends to achieve sustainable development, management and use of water resources with help of community participation. This will help improve health and livelihood as well as reduce vulnerability among people.
At village level committees will be formed and issue of groundwater will also be catered by this policy. Also, state department will also monitor quality of the water to check if it has a high Iron content or if it’s acidic.
Protecting Catchment Areas: Policy also seeks to ensure protection and conservation of catchment areas of all water sources in state so as to prevent degradation of quantity and quality of water sources. It also outlines issue of river pollution.
Implementation: For the purpose of implementation of the policy via active participation of the community a Water Sanitation Village Council at the village level would be constituted.
Significance:
This policy would go long way in changing mindset of people and proper utilization of water.
It will also assure of good governance for present and future generations via Integrated Water Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability
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Month: Current Affairs - July, 2019