Shillong: Meghalaya must link water conservation to rural survival. Minister Marcuise N Marak wants more than just completed projects. He demands tangible gains for farmers and local institutions. The minister spoke at the two-day PMKSY-WDC 2.0 workshop held Monday at the State Convention Centre.
"Water is not merely a resource; it is closely connected with our environment, agriculture, livelihoods and the well-being of our communities," Marak said. The state currently tracks over 70,000 springsheds and has mapped 65,000 springs. Officials already prioritized 792 critical water sources for urgent rejuvenation efforts.
Meghalaya secured top-performer status under PMKSY-WDC 2.0 with a 73.47 percent score for 2026-27. Since the program started in 2021-22, the state invested Rs 175 crore into 32 projects. These initiatives cover 62,000 hectares and 96 micro-watersheds. L Shabong, Director of the Soil and Water Conservation Department, noted that 20,000 hectares of degraded land now feature soil and moisture conservation.
More than 2,400 water-harvesting structures now boost irrigation and soil fertility across the region. The department also launched a revamped website and a new Project Management Information System today. This system monitors 533 water-harvesting structures across 12 BMP loops to sharpen coordination. Officials also released an annual report and handed out the Watershed Janbhagidari Cup 2026 awards. The workshop concludes Tuesday with research presentations from ICAR, NEHU Tura, and SIRD.
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