Shillong, Jun 6: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the issue of water crisis is a global cause of worry and called for adopting a focused approach on this issue.

Inaugurating the International Seminar on ‘Understanding Water Crisis: The Way Forward’ on Thursday, he said that through the creation of Jal Shakti Ministry at the Centre, and the Meghalaya having its own State Water Policy, there shall be a focused approach on this issue.

The seminar was organized by Synod College, Shillong in collaboration with the P.A. Sangma Foundation and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority.

The Chief Minister lauded Synod College for having the seminar on a subject that is much of a concern throughout the world.

“The issue of water crisis is a global cause of worry, and the creation of Jal Shakti Ministry at the centre and having our own State Water Policy in the state, there shall be a focussed approach on this issue,” he said.

Informing that the State Water Policy is set to be presented in the next cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister informed that the State Water Policy takes a holistic approach to water, and encompasses budgeting, prioritizing and equitization of water supply and protection and conservation of catchment and spring shed areas.

He hoped of getting support and cooperation from the public once the Water Policy is in the public domain. “Having water professionals who are localized and creating awareness and campaign in the village with the active participation of the public will determine the success of the Water Policy,” he said.

He also said that having check dams and water reservoirs in the village itself with decentralized system of management involving local bodies will mitigate the problems of water crisis.

Stressing the need to create a decisive policy on pollution of water sources and bodies, Sangma hoped that the deliberations and suggestions in the seminar would reflect in the State Water Policy which will benefit the State and the nation.

Water Resources minister, Metbah Lyngdoh also said that water crisis is real and there is a need to take a collective call on mitigating water crisis.

On the State Water Policy, Lyngdoh said that the policy would address all concerns with regards to water, focusing on reduce, recycle and reuse while looking into water management and distribution.

North Tura MLA, Thomas A Sangma, who is also the Adviser to the Chief Minister and Secretary, P.A. Sangma Foundation, and Dr Rajendra Singh, Magsaysay Awardee attended the seminar.