Ampati, March 24: The Soil and Water Conservation Department, South West Garo Hills, Ampati, organized a Flag-Off Programme for Watershed Yatra under PMKSY WDC 2.0 at Rangsakona Field, Rangsakona, under Rerapara C&RD Block, South West Garo Hills on Monday. The event aimed to raise awareness about watershed management and sustainable water conservation practices.
Subir M. Marak, MLA of 52-Rangsakona (ST) Assembly Constituency, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dolrich B.G. Momin, MCS, ADC, South West Garo Hills, attended as the Guest of Honour. Also present was Dr. K.C. Momin, Retd. Director of the Soil and Water Conservation Department and Advisor of Garo Hills Environment Protection Society.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Subir Marak emphasized the urgent need for environmental conservation and watershed management. He proposed organizing quiz competitions on watershed conservation and environmental sustainability to engage youth in the cause.
Referring to excerpts from Garo Hills Damgipin A•gisi (Garo Hills – Another Desert) by Rev. Gilbert Marak, he recalled how once-abundant water bodies and forests in Garo Hills are now disappearing due to jhum cultivation and deforestation as predicted in the except. He stressed that such initiatives are crucial to raising awareness and preserving essential natural resources like water.
Guest of Honour, Dolrich B.G. Momin, shared his personal experiences of water scarcity in Shillong, emphasizing the importance of conserving water for future generations. Dr. K.C. Momin expressed gratitude to the Government of India for schemes like PMKSY WDC 2.0, which empower communities to manage and protect watersheds.
The Watershed Yatra is a nationwide initiative under PMKSY WDC 2.0, a project funded by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and implemented by the Soil & Water Conservation Department, Government of Meghalaya.
The initiative aims to educate communities about the importance of watershed management; Encourage eco-friendly practices like soil conservation and afforestation; Improve groundwater recharge and sustainable water use; Promote farming techniques that prevent soil erosion and enhance productivity and Mobilize local participation in conservation efforts.
Prior to the official program, various community-driven activities were held: Shramdan (Voluntary Community Cleaning) where community members cleaned water bodies in Rangsakona village; Street Play by Dokaku Arts and Culture Association, titled “Chi Aro A•ako Ripingani” (Preservation of Water and Land), which emphasized the need for conservation and also Paani Ki Pathshala Initiative where a painting competition on water and environmental conservation was organized for school students at Rangsakona Higher Secondary Deficit School, with winners awarded during the event.
During the program, the Watershed Yatra theme song was presented, and attendees took the Pledge for Watershed Conservation, vowing to conserve land and water in their fields and villages, support and maintain water conservation structures, prevent soil erosion through plantations and bunding and adopt rainwater harvesting and sustainable farming practices among many others.
The program concluded with the flagging-off of the Watershed Yatra Van by Chief Guest Subir Marak, marking the beginning of an important journey to promote sustainable watershed management in the region.
The event successfully reinforced the importance of community-driven environmental conservation, ensuring that the message of water conservation and sustainable land use reaches every corner of the district.
