A CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, on Sunday, inaugurated the much-awaited and prestigious 'Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme' in presence of DoNER Minister G Kishan Reddy, MoS DoNER B L Verma and MoS Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, PHE Minister Renikton Lyngdoh at Sohra in East Khasi Hills.
The Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme was conceptualised by the Government of Meghalaya and funded by the Ministry of DoNER under NESIDS in the year 2019 an amount of Rs. 24.08 cr.
The project will provide water supply to Sohra Town and 12 habitations viz., Sderkariah, Khlieh Shnong, Maraikaphon, Pdengshnong, Nongrim, Pomsohmen, Nongsawlia, Mawkisyiem, Saitsohpen, Mawpunkyrtiang, Pynshadkhurai and Kutmadan by tapping the stream sources of Wah Lyngksiar and Law Sanlait.
The project is designed to cover an ultimate population of 22,943 persons.
The dignitaries also launched the 'Sohra Afforestation Project', which is a joint initiative of DGAR and the Government of Meghalaya during their visit.
The Sohra Afforestation Project includes the following Block plantations proposed to be carried in 3,000 Ha; Silvi/ Aromatic/ Pastoral Development in 3,000 Ha; Fuelwood plantations proposed to be carried in 2,000 Ha; 1,000 Ha. of Broom grass plantations; Dense plantation using Miyawaki method to be carried out in over 200 Ha.; Planting 50,000 ornamental trees for enhancing tourism potential; Establishment of 14 nurseries; Forest fire control measures; Capacity building of the local communities in Natural Resource Management.
The plantations would be completed within three years and the maintenance support would be provided up to five years.
Speaking during the occasion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah underlined the importance of afforestation and tree plantation. The Home Minister said that earlier Cherrapunji used to have rains throughout the year, but due to indiscriminate harvesting in the name of development, the situation has changed. He said that an ambitious project to make Cherrapunji green again has started today.
Amit Shah informed that the entire area of Cherrapunji is going to be adopted by Assam Rifles for the purpose of plantation.
Shah also said that our country is intact because of the paramilitary forces deployed to protect the country's borders. Since the last two years they are also shouldering the responsibility of improving the environment and so far have planted 1.48 crore saplings, and out of which 1.36 crore plants are growing.
He also said that this year also about one crore saplings will be planted in different areas by making a strategy and in the next three years a target has been set to plant 1 million trees in 1000 hectares.
The Union Home Minister further said that today the whole world is fighting against global warming and climate change. "Narendra Modi has done the work of reducing carbon emissions by distributing a large number of cooking gas cylinders across the country and today India is at the forefront in hydropower and solar power sectors," he pointed out.
Shah also said that with the proposed action plan of PM Modi at the Paris Agreement, the whole world is fighting against global warming and carbon emissions.
In his address, Amit Shah said that as part of the Prime Minister's ambitious project 'Jal Jeevan Mission, the Ministry of DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) and the Government of Meghalaya, under the 'North-East Special Infrastructure Scheme', the 'Greater Sohra Water Project' costing Rs 25 crore, will provide pure drinking water through taps to every household.
Shah also said that if the source of water is not pure then people will not be healthy, therefore PM Modi has set the target of providing pure drinking water to every household in Meghalaya and the country before the completion of 75 years of Independence and 50 years of Meghalaya.
There is an ambitious programme to provide drinking water to 2,80,000 families in Meghalaya, which is clubbed into 1,874 small projects.
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