People must go for rain-water harvesting, says Arunachal Governor BD Mishra

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (retd) Dr BD Mishra on Saturday stressed the need for water conservation in the State and urged motivate the people to go for rain water harvesting.

Convening a review meeting of the Public Health Engineering (PHE), water supply and sanitation at the Raj Bhawan here, the Governor discussed issues related to water conservation, rain-water harvesting, potable water supply, sanitation and reuse of treated grey water. PHED (Public Health Engineering Department) Minister Wanki Lowang along with department officials were present on the occasion, a Raj Bhawan communiqué informed.

Emphasizing that every drop of water must be conserved, the Governor urged the officers of the PHED to rise to the occasion and explore ways and means to encourage and motivate the people in rainwater harvesting and also increase of the catchment areas.

Dr Mishra also stressed the involvement of population in water conservation through innovative methods, while citing Egam Basar's initiative for bringing in rejuvenation of water sources in the forest area of Basar.

The Governor asked the engineers to explore ways to mitigate water shortage during the dry season and suggested the need for installation of ground-water recharge structures. He also called for the installation of composite use of solar and electric power to reduce the energy charges of pump water, and to maintain proper records of the consequent outcomes.

Dr Mishra advised for carrying out water budgeting of the entire premise of Raj Bhavan. He also suggested for setting up of grey-water management system and the reuse of treated grey water for local horticulture and kitchen gardens. He said that feasible system must also be installed in big buildings like the State Secretariat, the mini secretariats and also the housing blocks.

He impressed upon the Chief Engineers to ensure potable water to the people, especially in the semi-urban areas, where disease is prevalent due to waterborne diseases.

Sharing his observation, Lowang called for concerted effort from all departments and water conserving daily habits of the people.

Earlier, the Chief Engineers briefed the Governor about the coverage of villages and towns under various schemes and damages to water supply pipelines due to landslides, the communiqué added.

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