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‘Ground Water-Making the Invisible Visible’
Dimapur, March 21 (MExN): Nagaland commemorated the World Water Day with the theme, ‘Ground Water-Making the Invisible Visible’ on March 22. The programmes were organised by Public Health Engineering Department in collaboration with various organisations in the respective districts.
Dimapur: During the inaugural programme which started at The Morung Express junction, Dimapur Executive Engineer, PHED (Urban) Dimapur, Er Bendangtola Walling flagged off the silent rally from Morung junction which culminated at DDSC stadium. She spoke on the importance of conserving groundwater and propagated rain water harvesting and groundwater recharge.
In a release, IEC Consultant, PHED, Dimapur Rural Division, Vibou Seyie informed that the programme saw huge participation of students from schools and colleges in and around Dimapur. Lenti Aier, Founder and President, AOKS hosted the World Water Day programme.
District Chemist, Tzutipokla Longkumer urged the upcoming generation to lead from the front and start the journey of conservation from now on, to ensure a bright future. She said that water sources needs to be conserved and not wasted or exploited while harping on various water contaminants.
Pledge was administered by Miss Nagaland, 2021 Mharoni Khuvung. Prizes for the best posters (open to all schools and colleges of Dimapur) were also given by Adrian Mahung, Secretary, AOKS.
Kohima: PHED Kohima Rural Division in collaboration with Tesophenyu Village Youth Fraternity observed the day at Tesophenyu community hall along with WATSAN Committee, Tesophenyu Village Council and the public.
Er Mezivil Kikhi, SDO (PHED) Kohima Rural Division in his keynote address remarked that the World Water Day is observed every year “to raise awareness on the global water crisis” and “to inspire people around the world to learn more about water-related issues and to take action for making a difference”. The campaign is led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in India.
Stressing that adverse climate change, pollution and over exploitation of water resources have led to a severe water crisis, Er Mezivil urged the gathering to take pledge to save water from being polluted and take care of the environment. He revealed that out of 113 villages 88 villages have been undertaking groundwater works on gravity source and 25 villages on deep tube well.
DC Tseminyu Dr Zasekuolie Chusi, IAS remarked that the problems of water scarcity and contamination exist everywhere and lauded the PHED for undertaking a commendable job. Throwing light that one person out of three persons do not have access to clean water, the DC impressed upon the community to take care of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme as drilling works of seven deep tube well have been completed. He stated that vey soon ‘Ground Water Act’ will become a reality for long term planning and sustainable development and that it is the collective responsibility of youth and the village council to take care of its maintenance and operation.
Sharing concerns on the ‘Ill effects of consuming contaminated water’, Dziesetseinuo Kiso, Chemist PHED Kohima Division stated on physical, chemical and biological contaminations posing threat to humans and that 3.5 million people are still consuming contaminated water. She stated that contaminated water are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, polio, affecting pregnant woman and infants below 6 months etc. She further dwelt on the effects of hard water causing numerous health problems such as kidney stone, constant urination, constipation, diabetic and stomach ailments
The DC Tseminyu inspected sites of deep tube well at the village along with WATSAN Committee, village council and the youth.
Mokokchung: World Water Day was observed at all the AB-HWCs of Mokokchung District. Health education was imparted by Community Health Officers on the importance of safe drinking water, contamination of water, effects of unsafe water on health and prevention of water borne diseases.
Phek: PHED Phek observed World Water Day at Mutsale Village under Phek Block. The participants include Village council members, WATSAN members, Women VDB members, deacon, deaconess and society members. Pastor Vezochiyi Chizo of Mutsale village invoked the blessing, whilst VDB Secretary Vengoi Nienu gave welcome address.
Er Weshusie Pojar, JE PHED Phek, briefed the theme of the day. He spoke on Conservation of Water, Water quality issues, ill effects of consuming contaminated water. He highlighted on the campaign “Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it falls”, urged the community to practice rainwater harvesting, to create the harvesting structures suitable to the village as well as climatic condition.
Vekhorayi (CWWS-NEIDA) Implementing Support Agency (ISA) spoke on the importance of Water Sanitation and Hygiene. He also shared the significance and benefits on groundwater recharge through Springshed Development, the project undertaken by NEIDA in collaboration with various departments.
To mark the day, the participants took part in cleaning of traditional wells in and around the village.
Wokha: Guardian Network Foundation, PHED Land Resources, Water Resources and Soil & Water Conservation jointly organised the World Water Day at Tiyi Hall, Wokha.
Special guest, ADC, Wokha, Lankonsen T Tsanglao, while addressing the gathering said, “water issue is becoming very serious and since the beginning of this year we are experiencing a very dry time due to rise in temperature.” The ADC called for proper maintenance of water bodies and stream so that they are polluted and wise utilization of water. Raising concern because of the ongoing National Highway road construction which is polluting the air, the ADC says the District Administration has been directing the contractors to sprinkle water twice a day but even then it gets dried-up in 20 to 30 minutes because of the rising temperature and urged citizens to bear as District Administration is also trying its best for the safety of the public.
He also stated that, Swach Bharat Mission 2 has already started since 20212 which will go on for 5 years and as a part of this initiative of SBM the department of Municipal Affairs is conducting cleanest ULB competition award (cleanest town) for which a committee has already being constituted. The committee will be visiting all the towns in the state and our district/town is expected that the verification team will be visiting on March 24 and 25.
Executive Engineer, Water Resources, Wokha, S Benri Kithan emphasizing on the topic “Underground water, making the invisible, visible” said ground water is a very important natural source and has a significant role in the economy, and a main source for irrigation and the food industry as well. He also added that the importance of groundwater is to find the right balance between withdrawing and letting the aquifer’s level recover to avoid over exploitation and to avoid pollution of this crucial resources, lastly call for the need for understanding our groundwater system and for proper management and community efforts.
Department of soil and water conservation while giving power point presentation gave a brief presentation on the data of average annual rainfall of all observatory and annual rainfall report in our state, where the resource person, stated that in the recent years the intensity of rainfall has increased which is a hallmark sign of climate change which need to be addressed seriously and call for proper management and conservation of water resources and urged all to put our heads together to address this issue to bring about a lasting solution.
Land Resources Officer, Wokha, Tepunol Yore while dwelling on spring- shed management, said the department is focusing and working covering in all rural areas in the district to provide and increase water by method of extracting underground water through spring-shed, as spring-shed management focus to recharge underground water.
“Sensitization, awareness & importance on water related topics” was presented by department of PHED and its implementing Support Agency Team Metamorphosis.
Mon: PHED, Mon Division celebrated World Water Day at Sayeang Middle School, Shiyong Village under Wakching Block, Mon with SDO (C) Wakching, L Samuel Konyak, NCS as the special guest.
Konyak in his speech said that growing up in a clean and safe environment is the right of each and every child and access to clean water, basic toilets, good hygiene practices not only keep children thriving, but also gives them a healthier start in life.
He also said that as climate change gets worse, groundwater will become more and more critical and that everyone needs to work together to sustainably manage water.
T Pangken Konyak, Chemist, DWSM, PHED Mon spoke on the topic ‘Reflecting on the Value of water’ meanwhile Monglong Implementing Support Agency (ISA) spoke on the topic Water, Sanitation & Hygiene interventions on improving health outcomes among school children.
Peren: World Water Day was organised by PHED under District Water and Sanitation Mission, Peren at Community Hall, Samziuram Village, Peren.
Kewizailungiu Dailiam, Swachhagrahi from Samziuram Village highlighting on the occasion stated that the World Water Day is observed annually to raise awareness on the global water crisis. She informed that the year’s theme focuses on the importance of groundwater and raise awareness about the over exploitation.
Speaking on “The importance of Water: how to preserve and conserve it”, Hugiak Gonmei, ISA Rongmai Baptist Association urged the citizens to dedicate themselves by practicing ways to conserve water by following some important and easy ways to conserve water such as keeping the tap closed when not in use and not to ignore any water leaks, practicing rainwater harvesting, find ways to recharge ground water, protect water resources and find ways to conserve water pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, to teach the children about the value of water from a young age and not waste water, to have an awareness in the family about the importance of water, not to use chemicals in paddy fields and reuse of water.
The programme was attended by Village Council members, WATSAN committee members, Women Society and youth from seven villages under Peren District. Tree saplings were also distributed.
Tuensang: PHED celebrated World Water Day at St John Higher Secondary School, Tuensang. Executive Engineering, PHED Tuensang Division, Kedolhuto Punyu shared on importance of the day and the theme.
PowerPoint presentation on the Water Quality Issues and Health impacts was presented by PHED District Chemist & District Co-ordinator, N Sangtam. Sangtam highlighted on the theme of World Water Day 2022, “Groundwater: making the invisible visible”; how ground water benefit the nature world and importance of water Quality in the drinking water in the JJM as per IS 10,500:12; Causes of health hazards issues and diseases by consuming contaminated water and some remedies measure to check water quality.
Sujang L, a student gave speech on the topic “Conserving water for the future generation”. An essay competition was also held on the topic “conserving water for the future generation” where Lika I, Ason B and Amos Rai got first, second and third positions respectively. JalJeevan Mission Implementation support Agency (ISA), also participated in the programme.
