Shillong(Meghalaya), Aug 26 : The Indian Chamber of Commerce today held the North East Water Conclave at the State Convention Centre, Shillong wherein Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, PHE Minister attended the inaugural function as Chief Guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Tongkhar stated that water is life and without water survival is impossible, we are blessed to receive water free of cost but we tend to abuse water uses by using it excessively, he said. He urged the gathering to save water at every opportunity and to develop a habit of being a water cultivator and to understand the value of water.
Stressing that land near the catchment areas needs to be acquired by the government in order to preserve the water sources and to protect it from other forms of human activities which might pose a big threat to the survival of these water sources.
He also stated that despite the abundant rainfall the state received, it is shocking to note that water cannot penetrate into the soil rather it just flows away to the lower altitude area. An in-depth study is also needed relating to this matter in order to find ways and means as to how to contain the rain water which the state is blessed with.
The Minister also expressed his concern on the rise of water sources drying up, due to this reason the government schemes needs to be shifted from one source to the other and this creates a lot of delay and inconvenience to the public at large, he added.
Raising concerns on the drying up of check dams and rivers, he urged the gathering to seriously delve into this matter through the conclave because it is the need of the hour to find the reasons as to why this is happening and urged all the stakeholders to work together to ensure that the problems can be tackled and solved at the right time.
Other speakers who spoke included Dr S C Sadhu, Secretary Water Resource Department, Meghalaya, Aankur Patni, Executive Director, Ion Exchange India Ltd, Sourav Daspatnaik, Managing Director, Swachh Environment Private Limited among others.
The inaugural function was followed by Plenary Sessions where speakers dwelt at length on the topics: Upgradation of water & waste water infrastructure and Leakages in water conveyance lines and storage.
