Kohima, August 21 (MExN): A four day advanced training-cum-workshop on springshed development has been organized by the Department of Land Resources in collaboration with People’s Science Institute (PSI), Dehradun and Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM), Pune from August 21 to 24 at the Conference Hall, Directorate of Land Resources.
This advanced training is being held as a follow-up to basic capacity building and field-facilitation and is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the District Project Officers and field functionaries to assess and find the solution to depletion of springs in the state.
Hoto Yeptho, Director, Land Resources in his remarks highlighted the present scenario of the scarcity of water in the state and also encouraged the participants to intervene in the recharge and rejuvenation of the springs which are fast drying up through a Springshed management approach. He also stressed on the importance of a spring database in the state and urged the trainees to undertake Springshed management at appropriate scales in the different districts of Nagaland.
Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni from ACWADAM, Pune gave a brief presentation on the various projects undertaken by them in the country, while introducing the concepts of aquifer-based Springshed management. He also mentioned that Nagaland is the first state in the country to invest state resources including financial investment in knowledge support for Springshed Development, without any additional external support.
Khrolhiweu Tsuhah, Northeast Co-ordinator (PSI, Dehradun) highlighted on the status and progress of the programme through a collaborative effort involving village communities. She also presented some of the early data sets that have been collated through this effort.
Secretary, Land Resources, Y. Kikheto Sema IAS, in his address said that though the government did not provide any additional funds for Springshed Development, he was pleased with the progress made in the field of Springshed Development. He further urged the Department to document the process and impacts appropriately so that Central Agencies and other Donors would find the Springshed pilot in Nagaland impressive for further assistance to achieve drinking water security. He further requested ACWADAM, Pune and PSI, Dehradun, to continue partnering the state in knowledge, decision and action related activities. Altogether there are fifty participants for the advanced training who are hoping to go back and earnestly take up the cause of Springshed management in all the districts in Nagaland. Addl. Director, T. Renben Lotha chaired the inaugural programme and the vote of thanks was proposed by Albert Ngullie, Joint Director.
