Meet chalks up water policy for Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 03 2014 :
Categorised as immediate action plan, short-term policy, mid-term policy and long term policy, a one day open discussion on 'water scarcity in Manipur' organised today by Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) adopted various recommendations for submission to the Government of Manipur and initiate suitable measures without any further delay.
In the immediate action plan, the meet suggested that the Government regulate water supply by private water suppliers (tankers) including rate fixation; immediate steps to supply water in areas facing acute shortage of the essential item; and conduct test at water treatment plants before supplying to the public.
Under the short-term policy, it was unanimously agreed to propose construction/preservation of atleast one community pond at every village/locality and dredging of river beds.
Setting up of locality level sustainable water management system; assist individual families in storing/harvesting rain water; conservation of existing water bodies including wetland by prohibiting encroachment; and formulating land use policy and wetland development board were the recommendations agreed under the mid-term policy.
Regarding long term policy, the open discussion held in the backdrop of acute shortage of potable water throughout the state, the gathering approved launch of mass environmental literacy programme to restore ecological balance; include environment awareness programme as an educational model or through curriculum restructuring; ensure that natural resource base are not compromised or overlooked in pursuit of developmental projects; formulate State Water Policy and State forest Policy.
The open discussion programme organised at MDU Hall, Yaiskul Police Lane with Prof N Rajmohon of Chemistry Department, Manipur University as the moderator had environmentalist Dr T Brajakumar, former DMC College of Science HoD (Botany) Dr H nandiram, MU (Geography Dept) Associated Prof Dr Kh Pradipkumar Singh, MU (Economics) Associate Prof Dr Ksh Jhaljit Singh, Kangla Lanpung editor Ningthouja Lancha and former DMC Sc faculty member G Tomba Sharma elaborating on the subject of discussion as the resource persons.
Students as well as representatives of several NGOs were also present at the occasion.