EM Bureau
Kohima, March 22 (EMN): Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie, on the occasion of World Water Day, said that people fail to give due recognition to the significance of water and added that the day was an important reminder to value water.
The DC urged the Public Health Engineering department (PHED) to ensure that safe drinking water is provided to the citizens in Kohima town and in the rural areas.
He was speaking during the ‘World Water Day’ programme at DC’s Conference hall on Monday organised by PHED, Kohima division.
He pointed out the scarcity of water in Kohima, particularly during the dry season and further urged the department to work harder towards providing safe drinking water for all.
He said ‘water is precious at times when it is scarce, though at times there are plenty, as people do not take the necessary measures to save water’.
The official maintained that Nagaland during monsoon receives abundant water. However, he stated that necessary measures are not taken which affects during the dry season.
Further he stressed on the importance of saving water by adopting steps and measures such as water harvesting structures, rooftop water harvesting and conserving the water bodies that are available.
He asserted the need to recharge and replenish the existing water sources and for collecting and harvesting rain water.
In his keynote address, the executive engineer, PHED, rural Kohima, Subongyanger said World Water Day seeks to focus attention and raise awareness on the global water crisis.
The official maintained that there were various sources of water such as wells, rivers, lakes, streams however, only 1-2% of water was suitable for human use.
He also called upon the citizens to practise ways to conserve water in their daily routine such as keeping the tap closed when not in use, using collected rainwater for different purposed, finding ways to recharge ground water among others.
Meanwhile, chemist for district water and sanitation mission (DWSM), PHED Kohima division, Dziesetseinuo Kiso speaking on 'safe drinking water' said water was connected to every form of life on earth and was the basic human need.
She asserted that the 'Sustainable Development Goal 6(UN-SDG6) states that water sustain life, but safe clean drinking water defines civilization'.
She added that safe drinking water must be pure, wholesome and potable. It should be safe to drink, should ideally be clear with no smell or funny taste, free from pathogens, not salty, and free from excess chemicals.
"Safe drinking water is the birthright of all humankind- as much as a birthright as clean air," said Kiso and further pointed out that a majority of the population did not have access to safe drinking water.
The official maintained that 75% of all diseases in developing countries arise from polluted drinking water.
Highlighting a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Kiso stated that an estimate of 1.1 billion people in the world drink unsafe water while approximately 3.1% of global annual death (1.7 million) and 3.7 % (54.2 million) of annual burden are caused by the use of unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation and hygiene.
She further called for action to raise public awareness and understanding about the nature of the problem; and the technologies and strategies to address the issue of water.
Mokokchung: World Water Day was observed at PHED Mokokchung division executive engineer’s office with ADC Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh as the guest of honour. Addressing the gathering, Singh said that there was life on earth because of water and we should not take water for granted for its abundance because ‘it would delude the value of water’. In this regard, he encouraged the gathering to reduce and reuse water and reminded that it should start from our household itself.
He was referring to the hue cry for water scarcity during the dry season in most of the hilly districts of the state.
He also opined that rainwater harvesting in a micro-level during the rainy season would be key to alleviate water scarcity in hilly districts.
Yanger Pongen, executive engineer, PHED Mokokchung division, dwelled on the subject of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a flagship programme of the NDA to provide access to safe and adequate water supply through individual household tap connection (FHTC) or easily accessible public fountain.
Pongen also informed that JJM was in the early stages in the district and called upon the swachhagrahis to spread awareness to the people to fulfill the mission. Pongen further raised alarm that most of the water catchment area/ source of water supply in the district was drying up drastically. In this connection, he called upon Watsan and village councils to spread awareness to stop deforestation in the water catchment area.
Arkumla, a swachhagrahi from Aolijen, also spoke on the topic, “Valuing Water”.
Wokha: World Water Day was observed by the department of PHED Wokha on the theme “Valuing Water”
District coordinator DWSM, Wokha Aremo Ovung encouraged the gathering to be ‘torchbearers in creating awareness on the global water crisis and the urgent need for conserving water which is vital for sustaining life’.
He also sensitised the gathering about the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan-catch the rain campaign, where it falls, when it falls” which has been launched by the prime minister, a DIPR update stated. It said that the campaign aims to encourage the public to construct rain water harvesting structures.
IEC consultant Khonzani Kithan spoke on the theme “Valuing Water” and “water2me”, which is the year’s digital theme. She elaborated on the judicious use of water, importance of water and its health benefits. She also urged the gathering to focus on the current water crisis and to inculcate and follow the basic ways of harvesting and conserving water.
Medzhiphema: Zhaleo Rio, Advisor, Sericulture, Excise and Minority Affairs, was the special guest at a programme organised by ICAR research complex for NEH Region, Medziphema, on World Water Day. Rio shared about the multiple uses of water based on its utility and location. He also spoke about Jal Shakti Abhiyan, which begins on March 22 and concludes on November 30. An update stated that he stressed on clean water for drinking purpose and encouraged the villagers to take advantage of the good and clean water available within their reach and not depend on bottled water.
Prof. M Aleminla Ao, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NU, SASRD, Medziphema, spoke about the importance of World Water Day and how crucial it was to value water. Dr. A K Sangwan, Dean, College of Veterinary Sciences and AH, CAU, Jalukie, also shared about Nagaland being naturally blessed with abundant rain and water but also expressed ‘surprise that most of the water was not harvested but wasted’. He deliberated on creation of water reserves and also water management for efficient use in agriculture, livestock, industries etc.
Dr. SV Ngachan, ex-director, ICAR Res. Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya, also shared about the conservation of water today for future generations.
“Conservation should begin with every one of us, which we will see the results in couple of years from now. Every one could plant a tree now and save the nature from disaster,” he added.
Molvom: World Water Day was observed at Molvom village, under Dimapur district on the theme,' Valuing Water.'
Ichirang Zeliang, SDO (PHED), Medziphema speaking during the programme, shared on the importance of conserving and preserving water sources. He also spoke about the plans and programmes of the department and solicited cooperation from the community, to put their heads together, to move ahead and bring constructive development in the coming years.
Imojungla Longkumer, co-ordinator, DWSM spoke on the topic 'Safe drinking water' and elaborated on water contaminants, preventive measures, with focus on rainwater harvesting.
The programme was organised by PHED, Dimapur district.