Water woes deliberated at length in Ukhrul
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, May 04 2014:
A long term policy to protect Shirui forest from perpetual felling of trees, which has caused to parching of water source, was deliberated at length in a one-day awareness workshop on environmental protection held at Shirui community hall.
The denizens of Ukhrul town are reeling under water scarcity as the water source at Shirui is shrinking as a result of rampant deforestation in the last 2-3 years.
Drinking water to Ukhrul headquarters is being fed by two main water sources - Maret and Shinguira streams.
Ardent campaigner of Save Shirui Forests, V Shangreiphao SE, RC-II, PHED in his keynote address dwelt on the present confronting issue, 'Right to water, our responsibility to protect' .
"Though protection of natural resources is our responsibility, rampant deforestation will pose a threat to our future generation, all things have to be handed over to our descendants with care," he said.
He also highlighted the Government's water management policy to ensure safe drinking water to every household under NRDWP and NBA programmes.
ADC Dipu Gangmei focused on the long term policy of water management and protection of main water source of the town.
He proposed a trial pilot project, scientific method of calculating the adscript forest land value for protection from further intrusion, conservation of foothill area under the Integrated Water Management Programme (IWMP) and alternative arrangement for the villagers from the administration side.
Documentary presentation from CCDU, PHED and ICAR, KVK Ukhrul, alerting them the adverse effect of deforestation, rampant forest fire and need for forest conservation (Flora and Fauna) was another highlight of the function.
Director CCDU, PHED, Swammi informed about the implementation of the model system of forest protection at Dailong village in Tamenglong district.
The village does not face any water scarcity problem, and the village is free from environmental threat, he said.
Ukhrul town requires 30 lakh litres of water daily wherein PHED is managing with only 9 lakh litres.
As the district normally experiences six months of rainy season, rain water harvesting was another topic deliberated at the function.
Villagers from Shirui raised lots of criticism against the State Government at the awareness programme.
They pointed finger towards Government negligence regarding the present water crisis.
They said that forest is the only livelihood of the villagers, and cultivable lands have now become barren with the commissioning of the new water pipeline which feeds water to the district headquarters.
They also threatened to disconnect the pipeline if the concerned department/Government fails to attend/redress their basic problems at the earliest.
More than 300 persons attended the awareness workshop.
Patronised by TNL, PHED Ukhrul Division sponsored the programme.
Representatives from TNL, TMNL, TSL, NGO, Forest Department, headmen of Shirui Chingthak and Chingkha and the Shirui villagers including the womenfolk attended the programme.
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