In a move towards sustainable living, a seminar on rain water conservation through the use of a rainwater recharge kit was held in Mokokchung on 24 September.

The event was organised by the Sungkokmen Ward Yimten (council) with resource person Ruokuosietuo and his team from the Department of Soil and Water Conservation.

Ruokuosietuo informed that the department had earlier organised a seminar on the same subject on 3 September at MMC Conference Hall which was attended by the chairmen of all the wards in Mokokchung.

Motivated through that seminar, the Sungkomen Ward Yimten decided to implement the making of the first rainwater recharge pit under the technical supervision of the soil and water conservation department.

The main objective of the pit is to conserve rainwater in it and recharge groundwater.

According to the specifications given by the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, the recharge pit should have a dimension of 5 cubic ft (minimum) with depth measuring 5 ft.

The pit should also include layers of brick bats, boulders, stone ships, gravel and sand starting from the bottom and moving to the top accordingly.

The Sungkomen ward has followed the exact specifications and directions given by the department for constructing the pit in Sungkomen.

Sungkomen ward rainwater recharge pit was filled with layers of brick bats, boulders, stone chips, gravel and sand.

The Department of Soil and Water Conservation has further encouraged all individuals and the other wards in Mokokchung to create such useful pits in their own areas too.

Stating that the process of making the pit and the materials required were very reasonable, the department added that rainwater recharge pits would contribute majorly in reducing the shortage of water.