‘Water crisis alarming’

Newmai News Network
DIMAPUR, Aug 28: Nagaland Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy has pointed out that water crisis is becoming “more and more alarming” as rainfall has been declining over the years and many Nagas are not realizing the same, according to a report in The Morung Express.
Only the intensity has increased by way of cloudburst and other weather phenomena, he stated addressing the State level consultation meeting on preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for rejuvenation of River Brahmaputra through forestry interventions in Nagaland, the report said.
Against such a backdrop, Nagaland is an important part of the project, Toy added, at the meeting held at Conference Hall of Chief Secretary, Civil Secretariat, Kohima.
According to a DIPR report, he also highlighted the nine policies of the project and said that it encompasses many important issues including adaptation policies to tackle climate change, which involves villagers and land owners of the State. Scientist-E & Project Coordinator, Dr Dhruba J Das in his presentation informed that the primary aim of the meeting was to sensitize and ensure better cooperation among stakeholders and to develop region-specific strategies for Nagaland, The Morung Express further reported.
He also highlighted that Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), GoI entrusted Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun to prepare DPR for rejuvenation of thirteen (13) major rivers in the country through forestry interventions, the report said. The thirteen rivers include Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Narmada, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery, Luni belonging to nine river basins. Maintaining that a DPR preparation by ICFRE in 201  for rejuvenation of river Ganga was highly appreciated at National and International Level, Dr Das also informed that the Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat under ICFRE was instructed to prepare DPR for Rejuvenation of Brahmaputra. The broad objectives of the project include review and assessment of the existing situation of river basin; identification and involvement of stakeholders and building consensus for design and development of strategies and approaches; assessment of ongoing forestry activities of the States; examining the possibility of allied and other income generation activities; formulation of strategies; development of approaches; and plan activities for project implementation.
PCCF and HOFF, Nagaland Forest Department, Rajat S Pal said while formulating policies for the project in Nagaland two things have to be considered: rivers have to be identified whether they are East or West flowing River and secondly land belongs to the people, The Morung Express also reported. He expressed the need to involve neighbouring states in China and also stressed on the importance of geology of the areas involved. The DIPR report also informed that an open discussion was held focusing on existing Reports or work done by departments or organisation, Data format, Agro -forestry/forestry/other models developed and tested by various agencies, future plans for forestry intervention and planning for follow up action. The programme was organised by ICFRE Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI, Jorhat, Assam in collaboration with the Government of Nagaland, it added.