Advisor Ikuto Zhimomi (3rd from Right) and others takes Land and Water Conservation Pledge during Watershed Yatra in Kohima on February 5. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 5
Nagaland today took ‘Land and Water Conservation Pledge’ during the state level launching programme of Watershed Yatra at the Directorate of Land Resources, Kohima.
The gathering led by Nagaland Land Resources Advisor, G Ikuto Zhimomi took a pledge to conserve land and water in the farm and village. It has also taken pledge to cooperate in construction and maintenance of watershed structures like percolation tanks, check dams, farm ponds in the village. “I will carry out bunding and tree plantation to prevent soil erosion in my field and catchment area,” another pledge stated.
Addressing the gathering, Zhimomi informed that Watershed Yatra is a mass outreach campaign to create awareness about watershed development activities carried out under Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC- PMKSY -2.0 project areas across 27 states and 2 union territories.
He said the state’s department of Land Resources has been dedicated to watershed development since 1999, viz- IWDP & IWMP/PMKSY- WDC 1.0.
“Today, under PMKSY- WDC 2.0 launched during 2021- 22, the department is implementing projects across 9 districts in Nagaland,” Zhimomi said. The 9 districts includes; Peren, Phek, Kohima, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Wokha, Kiphire, Noklak and Tuensang. “This programme is a community driven project and importance of watershed cannot be undermined,” the Advisor said.
The whole objective of Watershed Yatra aims to reiterate the significance and importance of watershed management in restoring and conserving our precious soil and moisture, he said.
By engaging the community and creating awareness, we are building a foundation for a sustainable future, Zhimomi said. The Watershed Yatra will be marked by handing over of new assets for new projects, watershed festival, community free labour, watershed council, awards & recognition to watershed warriors etc.
Zhimomi flagged off Watershed Yatra mobile van.
Later, the state joined National Level Virtual Launching Program conducted through webcasting in which Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Union Minister of Agriculture Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development addressed the nationwide Watershed Yatra virtually.
‘Revitalise watershed into healthy, sustainable ecosystem’
Albert Ngullie, Director, Land Resources department, Nagaland said that the department took part in the nation-wide movement to protect, conserve, restore and nurture the most vital resources, land and water.
“Across the world, people are facing challenges of water scarcity, pollution, degradation of watershed more than ever,” he said adding that the ecosystem of the watershed, especially in the mountainous region are under threat due to drought, drying of springs, contamination and pollution, erosion, land degradation affecting the livelihood of the communities dependent on it.
“Watershed Yatra call for all the citizen of the country, as custodian of our natural resources, to realize that the health of the watersheds directly impacts the health of the communities, our economy and our planet,” Ngullie said, who is also CEO of State Level Nodal Agency, Nagaland.
Watershed Yatra is an effort to bring communities and individuals on board in effective management of natural resources in the watershed.
Stating that the Yatra aims to aims to highlight the significance of watershed management, the Director said “By understanding the significance of watershed, we can make an informed decision making for better conservation practices.” We must support the communities who reside in the watershed as they are the protectors and champions of our water sources and food, he asserted.
Watershed Yatra is an opportunity for all of us to take action in the form of restoration of river systems, rejuvenation of dying springs, restoration of degraded land, protect fauna and revitalise the watershed into a healthy, vibrant and sustainable ecosystem, he said. We must recognise that protecting our watersheds is not just the responsibility of govt., or NGO but for every individual, he said.
The Director strongly felt that reducing water wastes, planting trees, protecting riparian zones, and advocating sustainable agriculture practices would make a huge difference. Further, Ngullie called upon all the participants to convey the message of protection and conservation of the watershed to the communities as they go back to their respective places.
The launching programme was presided over by Kevekha Kevin Zehol, Chairman, SLNA, Nagaland and Commissioner & Secretary, Land Resources, Nagaland. The programme witnessed experience-sharing by Kekhrielezo Zuyie, Proprietor, KK Wood Touch Furnitures, a beneficiary of PMKSY-WDC 2.0. Pelenuo, Founder and MD, Zub Zub India and Ruopfuzhanuo Whiso, 4th Runner-Up, Miss Universe India 2024 delivered short speech and emphasized the importance of community participation and youth engagement in water conservation efforts and in restoring degraded land across Nagaland.
The programme also featured felicitation of the progressive farmers. Lidi Krou, Kohima village performed folk song.
Rev Dr Kevichalie Metha, Pastor, Peraciezie Baptist Church invoked God’s blessings while vote of thanks was proposed by Hekato N, Additional Director, Land Resources, Nagaland.
