​REPORT  OF  WORKSHOP ON “HAMARA JAL – HAMARA JEEWAN”: LUNGLEI DISTRICT

State                    :        Mizoram

District                :        Lunglei

Date of event      :        21st July, 2015

1.      DESCRIPTION OF EVENT CONDUCTED: The District Level Organising Committee, Lunglei District organised a one day workshop on “HAMARA JAL-HAMARA JEEWAN” (Our Water - Our Life) on  21st July,2015, in connection with India Water Week, 2015, under the chairmanship of Pu H. Lianzela, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Lunglei who also delivered a keynote address on the theme of the Workshop. Shri T.V. Jagnnadha Rao, SDE, Central Water Commission, Aizawl also attended the Workshop and delivered a short speech. (Programme sheet enclosed).

The main objective of the workshop was to create awareness regarding the need of water conservation from the teachings and PowerPoint presentation of resource persons; to discuss the issues of water resources planning and to come up with suggestive measures for preparation of a future road map considering the increasing necessity to conserve and utilise the limited available water resources in optimum and efficient manner for the well-being of mankind and environment.                                                                                     

 2.     DETAILS OF PARTICIPANTS: The participants in the workshop were government officials of different Departments including the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Public Health Engineering, Agriculture, Soil & Water Conservation, Horticulture, Fisheries, Minor Irrigation, Local Administration, BDOs, PRIs (Village Councils in Mizoram), Science Students of Government Schools and representatives of NGOs like MHIP (Mizo Women’s Association), MUP (Mizo Elders’ Association), YMA (Young Mizo Association) and MJA (Mizoram Journalists’ Association).

3.      TOPICS DISCUSSED: The main theme of India Water Week 2015: “Water Management For Sustainable Development” was discussed under various sub-topics from the enlightenment of the subject matter experts who presented PowerPoint Presentations on the following :-

a) “Available Water Resources” by Er. Lalzuithanga, Sub-Divisional Officer, Minor Irrigation Department, Lunglei,

b) “Water Demand Use/Deficit” by Er. H. Duhkima, Superintending Engineer, PHED, Lunglei WATSAN Circle, Lunglei

c) “Need and Method of Water Conservation” by Mr. C.Barminghama, District Officer, Soil & Water Conservation Department, Lunglei.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS:

a) General Recommendation: With enthusiastic participation of the invitees, the discussion session was fully utilised by the participants to deliberate their thoughts, suggestions and recommendations. After a long discussion the workshop resolved to take appropriate steps to achieve the objective: “Save Water by Recharging, Preserving and Harvesting Available Water”.

b) Profile of District:

i. Source of Water: The main sources of water in Lunglei District are streams, rivers and ground water.

ii. Utilisation for Various Uses: The available water sources are mainly utilised for domestic purposes. It is also utilised for irrigation purposes in areas of lower altitude. Consumption of water by livestock may also be considered to some extent. Since no big industries are set up in the District, minimal water is utilized for industrial purposes.

iii. Constraints in Meeting the Requirement: The requirement of water set by the Government of India for domestic purposes are 135 lpcd for urban/town areas and 55 lpcd for rural areas. The requirement of water for livestock, irrigation and industries are also to be met from the natural sources of water. To meet the requirement of water, the following constraints are faced in Lunglei District:

  • Deforestation of catchment areas by cutting of trees and vegetation due to shifting/ Jhum cultivation,
  • Pollution of water sources by dumping of solid and liquid wastes by the public.
  • Source depletion of perennial water sources due to climate change resulting in scarcity of water.
  • Lack of awareness and lack of practice of rain water harvesting system like Roof-top rain water harvesting system in private as well as Government buildings,
  • The tradition of setting up towns and villages on hill tops, which are the areas of primary source of water, create difficulties in collection of water.
  • Lack of empowerment of the Local Governing bodies viz. Local Councils (in towns) and Village Councils (in villages).

IV.  Possible Local Solutions for Meeting the Unsatisfied Demand of Water:

  • Coordination with Local/ Village Councils through the Local Administration Department, by Government Officials when undertaking any developmental work so as to prevent chances of river pollution and deterioration of water sources, catchment areas, etc. In this connection YMA, Sub-Headquarters, Lunglei has already constituted a Sub-Committee on “Water and Environment”.
  • Improvement of traditional village Spring source.
  • Awareness on Rain-water Harvesting, to sensitise and encourage every family to give priority for construction of rain-water harvesting structures.
  • To inculcate the sense of sanitation in the minds of people and to do away with the local concept of using ravines/gullies for disposal of waste and garbage.
  •  Involvement of volunteer groups such as NSS and NGOs through social work, in cleaning of streams and rivers, planting of trees and wild bananas in the catchment areas.

v) Future Roadmap to Manage Water for Growth: The plan of future roadmap to manage water for growth are suggested as follows:-

  • Enactment of Laws to empower the Local Bodies (Village Councils) for protection of water sources, prevention of water pollution and contamination, prevention of fire etc.
  • Popularise traditional practice of individual rain water harvesting system (Rooftop Rain Water Harvesting System) and improvement of traditional village Spring source.
  • Preservation of water sources for the purpose of general public utility.
  • Initiation of projects like “Clean Tlawng”, for maintenance of cleanliness of Tlawng River, the longest river of the state.
  • Construction of low cost/cost-effective Rain Water Harvesting Structures by water-proof materials viz. Geomembrane sheet, etc.
  • Construction of multi-stages check dams with appropriate artificial recharge   technique in streams and rivers to retard the rapid flow of rain water as well as surface water, increase soil moisture and collect maximum available water.
  • Construction of multi-purpose dam which can be utilized by various Departments for agriculture, irrigation, water supply and power supply purposes.