Meghalaya’s Mawrah Reservoir Project bags national honour for Water Sustainability

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 25, 2025

In a major recognition of Meghalaya’s climate action efforts, the Mawrah Multipurpose Reservoir Project, implemented through the Mawrah Village Dorbar in East Khasi Hills district, has been declared the Winner in the category “Excellence in Participatory Water Management for Enhancing Water Management through Community Participation” at the 4th Water Sustainability Awards 2024–25. The award was presented at a national function held at Jacaranda Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The awards were organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, Government of India. The award jury included representatives from UNDP, MoJS, NITI Aayog and TERI.

“This is the first time that a project initiated by the Soil & Water Conservation Department has received such recognition at the national level. It highlights the government’s commitment to climate action through active community participation,” said Dr. Joram Beda, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Soil & Water Conservation Department, Government of Meghalaya. He added, “This award is a recognition of the tireless efforts of our government in implementing a climate-resilient water resource initiative in partnership with local communities.”

The Water Sustainability Awards aim to promote the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on clean water and sanitation by reducing water footprints and encouraging water neutrality across sectors. The jury commended the Mawrah model for its unique approach in aligning with global and national water sustainability goals through participatory governance.

The Mawrah Multipurpose Reservoir Project, located southeast of Mawrah village under Khatarshnong Laitkroh C&RD Block in East Khasi Hills, is implemented by the Soil & Water Conservation Department in collaboration with the local village dorbar. Constructed at a cost of Rs 2.49 crore, the project features an RCC-arch dam with a catchment area of 27.30 hectares, a pondage area of 7.70 hectares, and a water storage capacity of 52,800 cubic metres. The project directly benefits 252 households and has led to the restoration of degraded landscapes, addressing critical water scarcity issues.

Designed as a model for community-driven water conservation, the project has helped transform the socio-economic and environmental landscape of Mawrah village. It supports clean water supply, boosts eco-tourism, encourages sustainable fisheries, and has helped regulate environmental degradation, including by banning destructive mining in the region.

According to the department, the key benefits of the project include:

• Improvement of vegetation cover, eco system-services and enhancement of microclimatic condition of the area.
• Resolve the issues of water scarcity and water demand for various cross cutting activities
• Enhancement of soil moisture and water holding capacity.
• Increase in the surface/base flow and water harvesting.
• Reduction of surface water runoff losses and soil erosion.
• Livelihood enhancement employment generation through pisciculture, tourism, agri-allied activities.
• Community awareness for sustainable water resources management.

In the context of long-term climate resilience, the Government of Meghalaya, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has initiated a state-wide Climate-Adaptive Community-Based Water Harvesting Project with 100% climate financing. Valued at $62.5 million (US$50 million from ADB and US$12.5 million from the state government), the project involves the construction of 532 climate-resilient water harvesting structures, along with command and catchment area interventions, livelihood improvement initiatives, capacity-building programs, and the deployment of innovative technologies.

The loan agreement for the project was signed in December 2024, and implementation has already begun across multiple districts. The project aims to create approximately 415 hectares of pondage area and 12 million cubic meters of water storage through a community demand-driven, participatory approach.

“This is not just about infrastructure,” said Dr. Beda. “It is about creating an inclusive model where ecological restoration, economic livelihood, and social empowerment converge. The participatory approach with the support of village dorbars has made our initiatives more resilient, sustainable, and impactful.”

The success of the Mawrah model is now being seen as a benchmark for replicable, community-led sustainability initiatives across the region and beyond.