Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, MARCH 22
To mark World Water Day 2016, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) today conducted the national rural drinking water and sanitation awareness, and expressed serious concern over enormous deforestation prevailing in the state.
WSSO Director, Er KG Sumi stressing on the importance of the National Rural Drinking & Sanitation Awareness Week which culminated at the conference hall of Executive Engineer, Kohima Rural Division, Tsiepfü Tsiepfhe Colony, said the problems in Nagaland are different from mainland India, and pointed out that since most Naga villages are situated on the hilltop it is difficult for water accessibility as water comes from the top and flows downhill. This, Er Sumi said, has made difficult for the department to implement water supply. He however described water harvesting as a big achievement.
Stating that the main objective of the awareness week was to spread awareness on cleanliness and to let every individual make cleanliness and hygiene a lifestyle, Er Sumi remarked that sanitation is not just about having a toilet, but is also about maintaining hygiene and cleanliness both inside and outside one’s house.
At the same, the Engineer also pointed out hand washing as an important part of cleanliness, which can prevent many diseases. He also urged the participants to take responsibility on waste management too, and informed that schemes on solid/liquid waste management will be arriving soon in the villages.
Focusing on “World Water Day”, Er Kevisekho Kruse, Chief Engineer PHED said, water crisis in Nagaland is the consequence of deforestation, global warming and climate change. ‘It is a collective responsibility for all of us to preserve our forests; else we will have nothing left for the future and our children’.
Kruse said, despite limitation, the PHED is trying its best to provide water supply in the state. He noted with concern that due to huge deforestation in the state, water sources are drying up. Though groundwater is available, he said, it does not guarantee providence in the future.
Enlightening the participants on the impacts of pollution and climate change, Kruse said it is difficult to stop global warming. “We can take small measure in our own ways to mitigate the problem”.
Giving a brief highlight on the efforts of the department which is working on surface water harvesting, Kruse said, the department is trying to provide water facilities through surface water harvesting which can be used for drinking water. He informed that a project has already been completed at Patkai Christian College which has a capacity of 9 million litres of water for a population of 3000. On the individual households, low cost tanks can be initiated to save rain water.
Expressing the department’s difficulty to provide sufficient water supply due to the scarcity and environmental concerns, Kruse stressed on rain water harvesting and urged the participants to initiate innovative ideas through low cost technology to solve the problem of water in the State.
The WATSAN Committee Workshop was held with participants from various villages attending the workshop. Er P Jakpou Khiamniungan, Executive Engineer, Kohima Rural Division spoke on the Individual Household Water Supply connection while Er Ruokuovituo Vizo, SDO, Kohima Rural Division shared on WATSAN accounts.
Meanwhile, prizes were given away to the winners of the essay and drawing competitions conducted in commemoration of the National Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Awareness Week.
Chupongmar of St Paul School, Phesama was adjudged as the first in the essay competition while Vimezonu Tetso from Government High School, Jakhama and Vilezono from Loyala Higher Secondary School were declared second and third.
In the drawing competition, Vinohunu Khieya, Loyala Higher Secondary School, Pelevizo Yhokha, Loyala Higher Secondary School came in the second place while Ruopfüvi Savi, John Higher Secondary School and Vimhakhozo, St Paul School, Phesama in the third place.
