World Water Day celebrated in East Jaintia Hills District

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 22, 2021

World Water Day, 2021 was celebrated in East Jaintia Hills District today under the theme “Save Blue to Stay Green”.  The programme was organized by the Jal Jeevan Mission, East Jaintia Hills District at Community Hall, Khliehriat West.

Kyrmen Shylla, Minister of Social Welfare etc. was the Chief Guest of the programme and E. Kharmalki, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District as the Guest of Honour. The programme was also attended by R. Nongtdu, SDO, PHE, Electrical- Rymbai who delivered the welcome address and M. Passah, SDO, PHE, RWS, Sub Division, Khliehriat.

Kyrmen Shylla, while addressing on the occasion praised the initiative taken by the Deputy Commissioner along with Line Departments of the district in implementing the various water treatment projects to improve the quality of water to make it appropriate for a specific end use.

He informed that the Government through various Line Departments like the Water Resource Department, PHE among others is implementing different project to address the problems face by the citizens of the District and he requested the people to cooperate and lend their support to these Government Departments in the implementation process for the smooth and fast completion of the projects.

He further stressed on the need to preserved the environment, forest, water sources in the District, he said that there is an urgent need for every individual to start taking necessary measures such as proper waste management’s, water treatment plants, water harvesting, afforestation etc, and putting them into practice in order to conserve nature and its resources to ensure a sustainable future.  

Speaking about the Greater Rymbai Water Supply Scheme, the Minister informed that he is monitoring the development and he is doing his best to speed up the project. He also urged the Officers of the Line Departments and the local headmen to find out and look out for more water sources available which can be operated as water supply sources to villages in the District.

Earlier, E. Kharmalki, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District highlighted the Water Treatment Project implemented in the district by Trinity Implex which is a Pilot Project for rejuvenation at Lukha River and the various measures and steps taken up for protecting water sources such as Fecal Sludge and Septage Management plan, treatment of acid mine drains collected in storage tanks,  construction of garland drainage, covering of coal dumps with permanent sheds or water proof tarpaulin.

He also spoke on the importance of recycling and recharging of ground water and he urged the gathering to work together in preserving water sources, rivers by keeping it safe and clean and to use the water wisely.

Topics on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Rain Water Harvesting, Trinity Project were also covered during the programme by various resource person, including P. Synnah, Member Secretary, DWSM, East Jaintia Hills District, R. Tongper, Junior Engineer, Water Resource Department, East Jaintia Hills District, Dapmain Nongtdu among others.

After the programme, Kyrmen Shylla, along with the Deputy Commissioner and the official from PHE Department also inspected the Trinity pilot project at East Side Inn, Jalyiah Village.

Other highlights of the day include World Water Day Run which was flagged off by the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District and the Inter School Exhibition on the theme “Save Blue To Stay Green”, folk song performed by Shri. Charai Bareh and Holy Infant U.P School, Latyrke. During the programme, the Minister also handed over certificate and cash prizes to the winners of the World Water Day Run and the Inter School Exhibition competition. Awards were also given to the winners of folk song, poetry and drawing competition which was organized as part of the World Water Day celebration.