The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) has pledged to repair the damaged sections of the Wokha-Merapani road within the next 10 days. The assurance was given by NHIDCL Deputy General Manager Neeraj Khare during the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting held at the DC’s conference hall in Wokha on Monday.
Mhathung Yanthan, the Agriculture Advisor and Wokha DPDB chairman, thanked NHIDCL for their prompt action and dedication to the project. He guaranteed the corporation the steadfast backing of the state government and all district stakeholders in securing the timely and effective completion of the repair work.
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The DPDB meeting also shed light on Nagaland’s pioneering role in springshed management, a groundwater governance initiative. Land Resources Director Albert Ngullie highlighted the department’s focus on three major plantation crops for Wokha district: rubber, arecanut, and coffee, alongside the springshed management project.
Ngullie provided a detailed explanation of a springshed, describing it as a network of watersheds and aquifers that work together to feed water to the spring. He outlined the six-step approach used in the case study, which included thorough mapping, establishing a data management system, analysing the existing social and governance structure, conducting hydrogeological mapping, formulating springshed management protocols, and assessing the effectiveness of spring restoration efforts.
The director stressed the importance of a multi-stakeholder partnership model and robust planning in tackling groundwater-related issues. He advocated for a focus on groundwater management, strengthening thrust areas, and moving towards more inclusive groundwater governance.
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Mukesh Patil, a scientist from the Advanced Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM), elaborated on the springshed management project for Wokha town. The project aims to rejuvenate and restore Mount Tiyi for water conservation, particularly the springsheds that supply drinking and domestic water to the town’s residents.
The DPDB meeting also discussed and recommended the approval of several initiatives, including the registration of the Wokha District Electrical Goods Retailers’ Union, the establishment of Don Bosco School in Akuk, a government primary school in Satsuphen, and a primary health care centre in Satsuphen, Wokha.
Yanthan expressed his gratitude to the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority and the Wokha district administration for their holistic approach to the ‘Clean Doyang’ mission. He appealed to all stakeholders in the state, particularly in the Wokha district, to actively participate in the mission.
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The meeting was graced by the presence of MLA YM Humtsoe, and later, the DPDB chairman and other members visited Doyang to inspect the ongoing Clean Doyang Mission.
As the Wokha district embarks on a journey of infrastructure development and groundwater conservation, the collaborative efforts of NHIDCL, the state government, and various stakeholders hold the promise of a brighter future for the region. The commitment to repair the Wokha-Merapani road and the focus on springshed management underscore the importance of sustainable development and the well-being of the community.
