Mokokchung, 5 June (MTNews):Mokokchung District, under the auspices of the Mokokchung District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) and with the support of various departments including Forest, Rural Development, Water Resources, Soil & Water Conservation, Land Resources Development, and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), hosted a special outdoor program on World Environment Day 2023. The event centered on the theme “Rejuvenation of Springs & Water Bodies” took place at Longkotsüng in Mokokchung village.
Tongpang Ozukum, Advisor of Water Resources, Government of Nagaland, and Chairman of Mokokchung DPDB, emphasized the importance of the occasion, highlighting the need to save and protect the environment for our survival. He shared how instead of a small program in a hall, the DPDB opted to have a much more hands-on learning experience.
Talking about the theme “Rejuvenation of Springs and Water Bodies,” he shared that approximately 200 million Indians, which accounts for 15% of the country’s population, depend on spring water for their daily needs. However, due to various factors, one-third of these spring water sources have dried up over the years, including in Mokokchung. In response to this alarming situation, the Government of India, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has developed a framework agreement to focus on spring rejuvenation projects.
Ozukum further stressed the significance of rainwater harvesting, noting that Mokokchung district receives an average annual rainfall of 2066 mm, which is the second highest in the state, just a fraction behind Wokha. However, the district faces challenges in harnessing and utilizing this water effectively, resulting in heavy reliance on springs like Longkotsung where private water suppliers source the water from. “Where will we go if these springs dry up?” he asked the gathering. In light of this, he suggested the gathering replicate the Longkotsung model in other springs as well. He also suggested creating an inventory of all springs and ponds in the district, which would facilitate the implementation of model springshed management in different parts of Mokokchung.
Ozukum, while citing the example of the Illang stream in his native Mongsenyimti, said that the stream has almost dried up due to some human activities which he preferred not to mention.
To ensure the effective implementation of rejuvenation projects for springs and water bodies, Ozukum proposed the formation of a committee consisting of allied departments and the District Administration, tasked with monitoring and coordinating efforts. Ozukum said that he and the legislators would support the committee in any way they could.
The program commenced with a welcome address by Chumlamo Humtsoe, ADC Mokokchung followed by a keynote address by Dr Sashiyangba, DPO Land Resources Development, Mokokchung. The Chairman of Mokokchung Village Council extended greetings on the occasion of World Environment Day. The event was chaired by Sentitula (IFS), DFO Mokokchung. As part of the program, Roukuosietuo Dzuvichu, DSCO Mokokchung, conducted a field demonstration showcasing different methods adopted for the rejuvenation of springs and water bodies at the Longkotsung area.
The event witnessed the presence of various Heads of Departments (HoDs) and members from civil society, reflecting the collective effort and commitment of the community towards environmental conservation and sustainable development.
After the formal program, there was a signing of a pledge to lend hands towards conservation efforts and bettering the environment which was followed by the advisor cutting a ribbon to the spring at Longkotsung and also the planting of lemon grass plants next to it.