Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 14
A valedictory programme on ‘Participatory Springshed Development’ under Participatory Ground Water Management (PGWM) took place today at the conference hall of the Directorate of Land Resources. This was a culmination programme of the earlier workshop-cum-training held at Ziphenyu village under Kohima district from May 30 to June 14.
Land Resources Secretary Y. Kikheto Sema said that though the department has very less manpower it has achieved much, even to the extent of the ministry officials mentioning the state appreciatively. He complimented the participants for completing the training successfully and urged upon them to give their best saying that the way we manage our manpower with all the resources available with a quality and effective delivery system is more important than the budget or fund allocated for the department.
“With a humble beginning we can improve the living standard of our people by enhancing the quantity and quality of water in the state,” he said.
Land Resources Director, Mhathung Yanthan thanked the team from People’s Science Institute Dehradun for partnering with the department and enhancing knowledge on Springshed Development. He said that due to massive deforestation, climate change and various other factors the springs are drying and so the onus is on us to revive and rejuvenate the springs by specifically creating awareness.
Power point presentation was made by participants from all 11 districts regarding the activities carried out by trainees in the 11 selected villages. They highlighted the problems faced by the villagers and also identified the different springs and the measures to be taken to revive and rejuvenate the identified springs.
Land Resources Additional Director Hoto Yeptho congratulated all the participants, DPOs/APOs, WDT (M) and the team members from PSI. The programme was chaired by PSI Northeast coordinator Khrolhiweu Tsuhah while welcome address was delivered by land resources deputy director Albert Ngullie.
Endeavor to rejuvenate dying springs
Springshed development concept under Participatory Ground Water Management programme is part of Special Programme for Economic & Environmental Development, launched by the Land Resources Department in commemoration of the 50th year of statehood.
Nagaland being a predominantly rural and hilly state with more than 90 per cent of water demand for domestic purpose in rural areas depending on springs, it is important to revive and rejuvenate the dying springs and to increase the water availability through Springshed development, according to the Land Resource Development Department.
The department has taken initiative for Springshed development in 2015 which seeks to address the issues of regenerating springs, streams and underground flows.
The prime focus is to identify recharge area of springs and streams and enhance recharge through community-led (participatory) actions and for proper management and equitable distribution of water, the report stated, adding that Springshed development can help enhance rainfall infiltration into the ground, recharge springs, revive dysfunctional traditional systems, moderate flood peaks and recharge streams and rivers.
The department stated that water quality testing has been carried out and awareness created among the primary stakeholders on conservation and management of natural springs.
It has identified 11 springs from 11 districts of Nagaland to develop them into model Springshed.
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