SHILLONG: As a crucial step towards ensuring sustainable management of water resources, the Government of Meghalaya has allied with the Brahmaputra Board to develop a unified River Master Plan that will cover ten sub-basins in the state. Such a move facilitates a pivotal change in how water shortages, flooding, and soil erosion would be managed in the region of Meghalaya.
The project was formally inaugurated during an inaugural meeting held at the Meghalaya Secretariat Conference Hall under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary Dr. PS Ahammed and Chairman Brahmaputra Board Dr. Ranbir Singh.
The master plan would take full advantage of advanced technology for gathering data from all sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, industries, and tourism. Thus, this will be an integrated approach towards water management.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Brahmaputra Board and the Department of Water Resources, and this agreement formalized the collaboration between them. This included an integrated water rejuvenation project in Shiliang Um in the East Khasi Hills, focusing on sustainability and localized interventions.
Different state departments have been approached for support to get the plan done, making it practical and adaptable to the future challenges that may arise. As Dr. Ranbir Singh claims, "the initiative is very important to Meghalaya's economic development and the improvement of local livelihoods while the state's natural resources are protected".
The master plan has also received impressive endorsements from state officials, which perceives it as a viable approach in marrying economic growth with environmental conservation, thus initiating long-term prosperity for both people and the environment of Meghalaya.
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