Beneficiaries along with others seen with the certificates during the culmination programme of PMKSY-WDC held at Kohima on September 29. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | September 29
The Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojna-Watershed Development Component (WDC-PMKSY), erstwhile Integrated Water Management Programme (IWMP) for Kohima district culminated on September 29.
Under this project which took off in the year 2012 held in batch IV, V & VI (Project VII, VIII, IX, X & XI) has benefitted 43 villages under Kohima district. The project covered various components which include bench terrace, gully plug, water harvesting structure, half moon terrace, contour trenching, plantation, horticulture crops, livelihood activities, production and micro enterprise etc.
In commemoration with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrating 75 years of independence, a culmination programme was organised by the Department of Land Resources (LRD) at Chatsa, Kohima.
Briefly highlighting the components and objectives of the project, District Project Officer, LRD, Dr Menuosietuo Tseikha said the core objectives of WDC-PMKSY, erstwhile IWMP are to restore the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and water.
The advantages and benefits, he informed, are prevention of soil erosion, rain water harvesting and recharge of the groundwater table and regeneration of natural vegetation, which enables multi cropping and help provide sustainable livelihoods.
Tseikha said that unlike other projects undertaken in the state, PMKSY-WDC was done through satellite/GIS mapping with meticulous planning, in the process of which some villages have been left out.
With the department policy of 3Es (ecological balance, environment protection and economy), he said some villages have done extremely well, and expressed that they would continue to carry on with the same spirit and dedication.
Encouraging the farmers, Advisor for Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Dr Neikiesalie Kire gracing the programme as special guest, asked the farmers to continue with what they have started adding “you have sown the seeds for your future.”
Highlighting in brief the benefits of coffee – health, environment and economy, Kire has urged the farmers to dedicatedly carry inorder to reap the benefits in some few years time. “I hope to see Nagaland will be self-sufficient after 10-15 years,” he added.
Joint Director, Department of Land Resources, Vanchamo Ngullie who is also the supervisory officer of the project pointed out that numerous projects have come and gone by in the state with not much tangible results.
Validating his point, he said it was because the people are ‘lazy and money minded’ and “we know only how to ask and receive but don’t know how to utilise it for our future benefits.” However, Ngullie maintained that with the department’s vision from ‘waste to wealth’, he was optimistic that the projects undertaken by the department has benefitted the farmers towards self-sustenance.
While urging the farmers to keenly utilise the hands on practical knowledge taught by the technical experts over the years, he advised “know how to construct money road and not money itself.”
The benefitted villages were awarded with certificates, and an exit policy called ‘Permaculture’ as a way forward. Permaculture, known as permanent agriculture, is an approach to land management that adopts arrangements in flourishing natural ecosystem basing on the principles of regenerative agriculture, rewilding and community resilience, as informed by the department officials.
