Well, Well, what do we have here: Rainwater, being collected for domestic use at a house in Dimapur. Even though Nagaland is bestowed with enormous natural resources and rainfall, with the urbanization, increase in population and gross misuse of water sources, the state has been facing a water crisis. (Morung File Photo)
Nagaland State gives a miss to observing World Heritage Day
While the people of Nagaland may be inherently proud of their cultural heritage, the existing water situation is by any means not anything to be proud of. Today, the world celebrates Heritage Day, and this year, the theme is based on ‘Cultural Heritage of Water’. This day is the perfect opportunity for departments, agencies and authorities to create awareness on the dire straits of water in the state. But no efforts has yet been reported or noticed. As the world celebrates the cultural heritage of Water, Nagaland seems to have given it a miss.
Last year, with the prolonged dry spell, acute shortage of water was reported from almost all districts of Nagaland. Also, ground water level has gone down. It is also a reality that during the months from December till April, water scarcity is at its peak.
Engineer, PHED, Kevisekho Kruse, speaking to The Morung Express meanwhile stated that efforts are initiated to enhance water security in villages. “Rain water harvesting, is one initiative which the PHED has been focusing on,” he said. He also revealed that traditional water schemes are encouraged while also maintaining that several villages have now received pipe water supply system. Agreeing to the idea of reviving traditional concepts of water system, he said, “In case pipe water supply system fails for various reasons, then people can fall back on traditional water schemes if available”.
Further commenting on effective management of water resources, Kruse shared that further efforts should be made on protecting water from contamination and also to conserve water sources. He felt that people need to be made more aware on the side effects of excess felling of trees, leading to deforestation. He also said that water sources are drying up which is a great source of concern. He also suggested that villages need to pass stricter resolutions so that water catchments are preserved.
Meanwhile, a citizen opined that while efforts have been going on to conserve water and protect water sources, it is a fact that traditional water structures and indigenous water systems of Nagaland have been discarded and forgotten. “Many indigenous water systems and catchment areas have been lost over the years. In a time, when almost all districts of the state are facing acute shortage of water, departments should come up with solutions to revive traditional concepts and focus on water storage methods of the past and how it can be utilized in the contemporary setting,” the citizen countered. It would be wise to come up with a long term plan to sustain water and its sources, to which environmental and ecosystem issues also need to be targeted.
While the people of Nagaland may be inherently proud of their cultural heritage, the existing water situation is by any means not anything to be proud of. Today, the world celebrates Heritage Day, and this year, the theme is based on ‘Cultural Heritage of Water’. This day is the perfect opportunity for departments, agencies and authorities to create awareness on the dire straits of water in the state. But no efforts has yet been reported or noticed. As the world celebrates the cultural heritage of Water, Nagaland seems to have given it a miss.
Last year, with the prolonged dry spell, acute shortage of water was reported from almost all districts of Nagaland. Also, ground water level has gone down. It is also a reality that during the months from December till April, water scarcity is at its peak.
Engineer, PHED, Kevisekho Kruse, speaking to The Morung Express meanwhile stated that efforts are initiated to enhance water security in villages. “Rain water harvesting, is one initiative which the PHED has been focusing on,” he said. He also revealed that traditional water schemes are encouraged while also maintaining that several villages have now received pipe water supply system. Agreeing to the idea of reviving traditional concepts of water system, he said, “In case pipe water supply system fails for various reasons, then people can fall back on traditional water schemes if available”.
Further commenting on effective management of water resources, Kruse shared that further efforts should be made on protecting water from contamination and also to conserve water sources. He felt that people need to be made more aware on the side effects of excess felling of trees, leading to deforestation. He also said that water sources are drying up which is a great source of concern. He also suggested that villages need to pass stricter resolutions so that water catchments are preserved.
Meanwhile, a citizen opined that while efforts have been going on to conserve water and protect water sources, it is a fact that traditional water structures and indigenous water systems of Nagaland have been discarded and forgotten. “Many indigenous water systems and catchment areas have been lost over the years. In a time, when almost all districts of the state are facing acute shortage of water, departments should come up with solutions to revive traditional concepts and focus on water storage methods of the past and how it can be utilized in the contemporary setting,” the citizen countered. It would be wise to come up with a long term plan to sustain water and its sources, to which environmental and ecosystem issues also need to be targeted.
