By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, February 22: Hundreds of people today took part in the mass rally which was organized by the PHED Ukhrul as part of its observance of the National Rural Drinking Water Awareness Week (NRDWAW) here in Ukhrul district headquarters.
With the object of creating mass awareness of the importance of water conservation and adoption of safe drinking water practices among the rural populaces, the NRDWAW which began on Friday will be observed till February 24 in the district.
Over 500 people including civil society organizations, students and the public marched from Hundung Junction towards the Mini Secretariat where the massive rally culminated with a public gathering to discuss various issues pertaining to safe drinking water and its conservation in the district.
Addressing at the public meeting, PHED Ukhrul, EE Somi said that unless we stop rampant deforestation that has been going on here since the past many years, the day is not far away when the present arterial water source for Ukhrul town at Shirui Kashong will dry up.
“About 80 per cent of population in Ukhrul town depends on Shirui water for drinking but due to indiscriminate felling of trees by timber traders has resulted in gradual decrease in the volume of water” he continued before adding that it was time the government decide to provide those timber traders an alternative employment/jobs to prevent impending water crisis in the district.
Somi further disclosed that out of the 240 habitations covered under the NRDW scheme in Ukhrul, so far 210 have begun to avail the benefits.
“But in the case of Bharat Nirman Abhiyan (NBA) , only 5 villages have so far been covered as yet,” he added.
Meanwhile, PHED Ukhrul will also be organizing a drawing competition during the observance in the interest of creating public awareness, the department has said.