Agriculture Production Commissioner Nagaland Y Kikheto Sema meets Union Secretary, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Pankaj Kumar on October 13 in New Delhi. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, October 13 (MExN): The Agriculture Production Commissioner, Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema met Union Secretary, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Pankaj Kumar on October 13 and among others, suggested introduction rejuvenation of the springs, rivers and river basin management programme in the State.
Pointing out most rivers and streams of the region have been exploited and damaged by removal of sands and stones, which has adversely affected the Agriculture sector, the APC made the suggestion, State DIPR reported.
The APC also stressed on the importance of catchment area treatment and shared his experiences of the springshed development which was introduced and successfully implemented by the Land Resources Department and suggested to the Union Secretary for implementation of the similar programmes, it said.
Kumar, a former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, welcomed the suggestions and stated that the union government is also planning to hold consultants and conferences in future to discuss these issues, it informed.
He also acknowledged the importance of spring shed and rejuvenation of springs, rivers and water bodies and conveyed that he will also take up the matter with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, it added.
The APC further shared about the water scarcity in the State, which he maintained has been compounded by the drought like situation during the year, the report said.
Although Nagaland along with the other North East States receive very high rainfall during the monsoon, during the lean season experiences water scarcity even for drinking purpose, he pointed out.
Food security and doubling the crops of the farmers cannot be achieved without water security, he further underscored.
The APC also expressed his happiness that an officer who has served in Nagaland in various capacities and someone who understands the situation of the regions is now currently the Union Secretary of WR, RD & GR, the report said.
He further appealed to the Union Secretary to formulate the policy and schemes on water conservation and management for the hilly states, it added.
