Arunachal: Mein launches ‘Jal Utsav’ in Namsai, bats for collective responsibility for water conservation

Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein launched the 15-day Jal Utsav campaign in Namsai on Wednesday, aiming to boost water conservation and sustainable management practices across the district.

The event, held at the Multipurpose Cultural Hall, is a collaborative effort by the district administration and the Public Health Engineering and Water Supply (PHE & WS) Department, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to raise awareness about water as a vital resource.

In his speech, Mein highlighted the importance of collective responsibility and community engagement in preserving water resources.

He emphasized the need for sustained community ownership, particularly of infrastructure established under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which aims to provide safe and accessible drinking water.

To encourage active participation, Mein announced a special award for the village showing the highest level of involvement and ownership in the campaign.

“Our goal is to foster a strong sense of belonging to these resources within local communities,” he noted, underscoring the importance of community-driven water management for long-term sustainability.

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During the event, Namsai District Commissioner CR Khampa highlighted the alignment of the initiative with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s efforts to promote water conservation in aspirational districts across India.

Namsai District Planning Officer (DPO) Keshab Sharma provided an overview of the campaign’s objectives, which include addressing key areas such as drinking water and sanitation, irrigation, and water rejuvenation projects.

One such rejuvenation project mentioned was the Borbeel Lake, which is being considered for restoration due to its potential to support local ecosystems and water needs.

The campaign’s theme focuses on the principles of Respect, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recharge.

All present, including the Deputy Chief Minister, took an oath to uphold these values, reaffirming their commitment to water conservation and management.

The campaign, part of a broader national initiative by the National Jal Jeevan Mission and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, aims to create a nationwide movement for water sustainability.

The Jal Utsav will run from November 6 to November 24, covering 20 aspirational districts, including Namsai.

The activities are designed to increase public awareness about water resources and encourage collective action for sustainable water management.

Also present on the occasion wereLikha Soni, MLA Lekang, ZPC Namsai Nang Urmila Mancheykhun, and Chief Engineer (PHED & WS) Eastern Zone, as well as ZPMs, Young Professionals from NITI Aayog, HoDs, GPMs, VWSC members, and SHGs.