Chizokho Vero
Chiechama | June 23
Both the Governor of Nagaland K. Sankaranarayanan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today stressed on the need to undertake more rainwater harvesting projects in the state so as to address the problem of water scarcity.
“We have to do more of the rainwater harvesting in Nagaland,” the Governor said while inaugurating the Rotary Water Management Project which is the first project of the Club.
The Governor said that rainwater harvesting was suitable for the north east region, adding that he had asked for rainwater harvesting in the Raj Bhavan Kohima and hoped that part of the Raj Bhavan’s water requirement will be met soon through this.
Also maintaining that the north east region, including Nagaland has good rainfall, Sankaranarayanan, however said “Yet many villages and towns do not have sufficient water. The state capital Kohima itself suffers from water shortage. Disputes over water sources and compensation often delay implementation of water supply projects. In some villages, the non-availability of a suitable water source is the problem.”
If we are to improve the water supply situation, he said, we must focus on better management in implementation of water supply schemes, we must involve the community, and we must be innovative in our approach.
“We can hope to resolve our water woos only with proper agreements for water sources, better implementation of the water supply augmentation projects, focus on the improvement of water distribution systems, rainwater harvesting and effective involvement of the community through the communitization process,” Sankaranarayanan said adding that the examples like the Chiechama water supply project “ should give us encouragement.”
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his address stressed on the need to give due importance on rainwater harvesting in the state so that it can be used during the dry season.
Rio also assured the villagers that he would extend a rainwater harvesting project in the church for public and domestic use. Further, Rio lauded the Rotary Club of Kohima for undertaking a lot of initiatives for the welfare of the people. He hoped that the package of water project will bring relief and benefit the villagers.
The Rotary Water Management Project was constructed by Rotary Club of Kohima. The Club has taken up the project under Rotary International Matching Grant, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Murietta, California and Rotary Club of Lake Elinore, California, USA.
Seeing the acute shortage of water supply in the village, the Club has taken up this project at the cost of Rs. Rs. 8.5 lakhs, said Rtn. Dr. Kezevituo Keditsu.
The water storage and supply system constructed by the Club operates on two pumps, 2 hp and 10 hp respectively, that runs on electricity. The water collected is stored in two reservoirs. Two ring-wells, each a height of 40 feet deep, were dug to gain access to water.
Earlier, Abu Metha spoke on behalf of Chiechama Village Council while Rtn. Kezhokhoto Savi, president Rotary Club of Kohima chaired the function. Minister for works and housing Tokheho, parliamentary secretary Kipili Sangtam, Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board Deo Nukhu, Brig. HGV Singh, Commander 5 Sector Assam Rifles, Kohima DC Sachopra Vero, Kohima SP Martin Pienyu, CO 26th Assam Rifles Col. Gautam Ganguly were the among the many dignitaries who graced the occasion.
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