As the world commemorated World Water Day on March 22, the spotlight falls on Mokokchung, Nagaland, where the vital resource is becoming increasingly scarce, raising concerns among residents and authorities alike.
As a reminder of the severity of the situation, Lanuakum, Chairman of Salangtem Ward, emphasized the pressing need to address the decreasing water availability in the town. He highlighted the annual decrease in water availability, attributing it to factors such as rapid urbanization and inadequate infrastructure. Proposing a practical solution, he suggested the establishment of Mini Water Treatment Plants to reduce the crisis.
Acknowledging the driven measures taken by the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC), Lanuakum commended their initiative to encourage the creation of recharge pits across all wards.
As in response to the persistent water scarcity issue in Mokokchung Municipality, the MMC issued a crucial notification in May 2023.
The notification issued by Chumlamo Humtsoe, the Administrator of the Mokokchung Municipal Council, emphasized the urgent need to address the water crisis facing citizens, particularly during dry seasons while highlighting the significance of replenishing the water table, especially given the challenging terrain of the region, the notification directed the construction of water recharge pits adjacent to deep bore wells and natural water ponds prior to the monsoon season.
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Reflecting on the efforts within Salangtem Ward, Lanuakum revealed that despite challenges posed by the hilly terrain and limited space, the ward has made significant strides in creating recharge pits. With approximately 65 recharge pits constructed within a year, and ongoing efforts to encourage household participation, the community is actively engaged in tackling the water crisis at the grassroots level.
Furthermore, data of last year shared by Chumlamo Humtsoe revealed the collective efforts undertaken by various wards, including the construction of borewells and recharge pits. With a total of 105 borewells and 48 recharge pits established, benefiting over 1800 households, the initiatives with collaborative approach towards water conservation in Mokokchung are underway.
The PHED department in Mokokchung has also shared data indicating that there are 90 community spring wells in the rural areas of Mokokchung.
During an interaction with C Purnungsang Ao, Chairman of Dilong Ward, he highlighted the rising issue of water scarcity and unavailability during the dry season, stressing its significant impact on the community. He noted that each year, the problem intensifies due to the growing population and urban expansion. Ao mentioned that Dilong Ward alone has a population of approximately 7 to 8 thousand residents. However, he pointed out that the water pipeline installed by the PHED department is not as reliable as it should be, worsening the situation.
Mokokchung Town comprises a total of 18 wards, with the population estimated to be 194,622 according to the 2011 census. However, it is expected that the population has significantly increased over the past 11 years. With no significant lakes or rivers nearby, the community’s efforts, along with support from the relevant departments, is crucial in sustaining through the dry season.
