Additional Director, DoLR, Hekato N along with others at the Watershed Yatra Campaign Asukiqa village, Zunheboto district on February 24. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | February 24
The Watershed Yatra Campaign, a 20-day initiative under the Ministry of Land Resources, GoI, and organised by Department of Land Resources, GoN, covering four districts of Nagaland, culminated at Asukiqa village, Zunheboto district, on February 24. The campaign also incorporated four other villages: Ghokimi, Kitami, Tsaphimi and Puneboqa.
Delivering the keynote address, the chairperson Roselyn Chishi, AI, DoLR, highlighted that the “Watershed Yatra” is a mass outreach campaign aimed at creating awareness about watershed development activities carried out under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) project, which spans 27 states and 2 UTs. The campaign tentatively began on January 17.
Additional Director, DoLR, Hekato N emphasised the importance of using resources judiciously and replenishing our environment by practicing tree planting whenever a tree is cut down for domestic purposes. He encouraged unity for sustainable water conservation and community-driven change, stating, “A single drop of water makes a huge ocean, so we should value every drop of water.”
He urged the reduction of excessive water and wood usage. He noted that although coffee was introduced long ago, mismanagement has hindered its production and the boosting of the economy. The department is now focusing on coffee plantation as a means to generate economic growth, as Nagaland’s coffee is known for its excellent aroma and taste.
“The earth is crying because of deforestation and misuse of natural resources. There is only one earth, let us be responsible humans and work together to safeguard our planet and ensure a sustainable future for all living beings,” he added.
The campaign includes several major activities, such as Bhoomi Poojan, the Lokarpan of new projects in each district, Watershed Mahotsav, Shramdan, Watershed ki Panchayat, awards and recognition for Watershed Warriors, and Bhumi-Jal Pitch, all of which are planned with the involvement of local communities and youth on a voluntary basis, Roselyn Chishi added.
The nationwide campaign will also help achieve the “Community Driven Approach” (Jan Bhagidari), which must be adopted for the implementation of watershed projects as per the existing guidelines. This approach will further galvanize the implementation machinery at the field level, Roselyn concluded.
The programme featured the 'Handing Over of Assets,' where Alowoni SHG of Kitami village was felicitated with a Solar Dryer under the Livelihood, Micro-Enterprises and Business Development initiative, which was administered by Additional Director, DoLR, Hekato N.
The Land and Water Conservation Oath-Taking was also undertaken. A folk song was presented by coffee growers (Puneboqa village), traditional folk dance by Ghokimi village cultural troupe, a street play performed by Alowoni SHG (Kitami village), experience sharing by Watershed Margdarshaks Inaqhe Swu, and various other competitions followed by awards ceremony.
The event concluded with vote of thanks delivered by Asheto Achumi, Chairman of the Joint Council, Asukiqa Area. The programme wrapped up with Shramdan activities, including bush management at coffee plantations and the digging of compost pits at coffee farms by the Watershed Committee of Ghokimi village.
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