Spring water harvesting units inaugurates

Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by SPN Editor

The Chief Conservator of Forest TP-1 L.Joykumar on Monday inaugurated eight Spring Water Harvesting Units constructed at Phayeng, Kameng, Kangla Siphai, Morok Ingkhol, Taorem, Chapphu Uppi, Nongpok Achiba and Nungshum Maril.

The spring Water Harvesting Units were constructed by the Central Forest Division, Mantripukhri with the help of ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth with the objective of spreading awareness among the general public about the importance of forest conservation and to provide forest water to the people all the year round.

The main function of the inauguration of the Spring Water Harvesting Unit was held at Phayeng wherein Chief Conservator of Forest TP-1 L. Joykumar, Central Forest Division DFO RK Amarjit, Central Forest Division ACF Siva Veimy MFS, Range Officer of Nongmaiching Range Prabir Ningthouja, Range Officer of Sawombung Range K. Raghu Singh, Range Officer of Sadar East Ng Ratan, Head Quarter Central Forest Division Range Officer Jobid Meitei, Retd Range Officer Mobi and ICICI Foundation Staff Rishi and Phayeng GP ex-Pradhan Gojen attended.

Joykumar said that the Forest Department constructed the Spring Water Harvesting Unit in view of the availability of water in the rivulets of Phayeng forest areas all the year round by dint of the hard effort of Phayeng Forest Protection Committee comprising 60 members to conserve forest and in support of the public effort to protect forest as well. The water provided through Spring Water Harvesting Unit has been tested safe for drinking and other purposes, the Forest Officer said, appealing to the people to conserve forest in their areas to ensure availability of forest water all the year round.

Conveying that similar projects have already been taken up in other areas, Joykumar said that there was scarcity of water at one time due to mass deforestation in the hill. Nowadays, water is available in forest areas after the Forest Department and the villages jointly protected the forest areas. Unless the present generation does not conserve forest, people will continue to reel under the hardship of water scarcity, he maintained.

Central Forest Division DFO RK Amarjit who also attended the function said that the hill areas where Spring Water Harvesting Units are constructed have become beautiful with scenic forests.

Every Spring Water Harvesting Unit has three tanks. Two tanks are constructed on the hill while one distribution tank is installed at the locality. The water so provided after due filtration process is free from chemical and safe. Villagers will now get water from the forest at anytime without interruption. Phayeng village was once declared as a carbon positive village.  The water which the villagers are going to avail all the year round is the fruit of the hard effort of the people to conserve forest, the DFO said.