Sustainable solutions: Meghalaya's Water Conclave 2024

The Meghalaya government in February 2024 hosted its first International Water Conclave 2024 in Shillong. The gathering involved the engagement of diverse experts, scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders, exchanging insights and ideas pertaining to water management. The conference, emphasising knowledge sharing and learning, is slated to become an annual event.

Meghalaya has set itself apart by being the first state to adopt a comprehensive state-level water policy, demonstrating a more integrated approach to water management across its various government departments compared to other states. Despite these efforts, the spectre of water security, particularly in the context of climate change, necessitates a more ecosystem-centric approach to development, aligning both natural and man-made resources within an ecosystem.

While water is gaining political significance, from an ecological standpoint, the sustainability of 'blue' water resources relies on concurrently safeguarding and revitalising 'green' resources. Adequate forests and vegetation play a crucial role in preventing water runoff and facilitating water infiltration into the ground. Collaboration between hydrologists and environmental experts is imperative to address the water crisis, especially given the anticipated increase in heat waves and unpredictable rainfall patterns. Considering this, the importance of afforestation was acknowledged at the conference.

Another critical facet of water security involves built infrastructure, termed 'grey' resources. India is advocating for the adoption of 'nature-based solutions' in constructing infrastructure like roads, bridges, and buildings to protect ecological resources, minimise harm to nature, and revive natural habitats. Also, unplanned and exploitative development activities, including sand mining, quarrying, deforestation, chemical pollution, and rapid urbanisation, contribute to the declining quality of Meghalaya's rivers in ecologically sensitive areas, including Shillong.

Many of Meghalaya's challenges underscore the necessity of transitioning from sector-specific approaches to a holistic ecosystem perspective, encompassing the 'blue,' 'green,' and 'grey' dimensions of sustained development. This holistic approach is crucial for meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, Cherrapunji, known as India's 'wettest' place, faces the paradox of being labelled a 'wet desert' due to extensive water runoff after rainfall. The denuded terrain, once lush with oak trees, requires water experts to establish water harvesting/catchment areas and rejuvenate springs and water sources. Foresters can address low soil fertility and lack of moisture with appropriate vegetation, while developers need to plan habitation to accommodate the expansive roots of oak trees. This collaborative effort could alleviate the acute water crisis in India's wettest region.

The 12-point Shillong Declaration arising from the Water Conclave emphasises a focus on water and the ecosystem, urging the planning of new infrastructure while safeguarding its water footprint. The hope is that the state will lead the way in implementing nature-based solutions across various sectors.

The second day of the conclave was marked by an abundance of discussions spanning various topics including 'Water and Livelihoods,' 'Water, Gender and Equity,' 'Online discussions on hill systems,' 'Water Quality, Community and Governance,' 'Rivers and Water Systems,' and 'Future Strategies for Addressing Water Issues in Hill Regions,' all conducted through different parallel sessions. Delegates hailing from various states and countries such as Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, and Nepal actively took part in these discussions.

During the concluding plenary session, Shri S.C Sadhu, Secretary of Fisheries for the Government of Meghalaya, offered a concise summary of all the sessions. Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department for the Government of Meghalaya, presented the preliminary version of the Shillong Declaration at the event.

Chief Secretary Shri D.P Wahlang underscored the significance and timeliness of the conclave, acknowledging the paradox of Meghalaya boasting the cleanest village in Asia while grappling with two severely polluted rivers within the town. He revealed that crucial decisions had been made during the cabinet meeting to address these challenges. Chief Secretary DP Wahlang emphasised the need to pay attention to the transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, which are often overlooked.

Wahlang emphasised the need for coordination among different departments to ensure effective water management in the state. He advocated for the rejuvenation and revival of various water sources, suggesting the allocation of government funds for source regeneration. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of incorporating water preservation and waste management into the education syllabus to facilitate practical learning for students. Chief Secretary DP Wahlang officially released the Shillong Declaration during the event. 

Shillong Declaration

Adopted by the International Conclave on Water, Hill Lives and Future: 9-10 Feb 2024

Building on the understanding of the  inextricable interlinkages between water resources and hill ecosystems, and with a strong commitment to achieve sustainable development, all participants of The International Conclave on Water, Hill Lives and Future, held at Shillong in February 2024, jointly declare that the following important considerations around water, climate and sustainability of  vital ecosystems will be attended  holistically, while planning, financing, imparting, guiding, monitoring, and evaluating any developmental agenda, especially with reference to the hill regions:

1. The vital role of water as a critical resource and the need for enhanced resilience around water in hilly terrains, as underscored by the declining water table and spring water levels, waning traditional water systems, retreating, and polluting rivers, changing rainfall patterns, increase in the natural disasters and the recent pandemic, among others.
2. The fact that hill regions will be vulnerable, in absence of improved, safe, and sustainable water management and any uncontrolled anthropogenic action can add to this risk.
3. The importance of protecting springs, rivers, and all other traditional water management systems as well as the complex nature of the hill ecosystems, and of ensuring sustainable and safe preservation of the aquifers and other water resources.
4. The necessity for adopting state-of-the-art technology for sanitation, waste, and wastewater treatment as well as for water recycling, to augment water availability. 
5. The critical need to aligning agriculture, horticulture, forestry, poultry, animal husbandry, and all related livelihood initiatives in an appropriate manner, addressing water productivity of the hill ecosystems.
6. The unavoidable act of ensuring safety and quality of water for all kinds of human and cattle consumption, by minimising contaminations and instituting context-appropriate measures for purifications and verifications. 
7. The Importance of not hampering the synergy with nature, and reassuring the commitment to the water and ecosystems, while bringing advanced amenities to enhance the quality of lives in hill systems.
8. The vitality of reconciling with any challenges to water systems, its sustainability and related measures and any adverse impact on the environment, while planning new infrastructure, industry, commerce, and business, in and for the region.
9. The significance of realising the critical challenges posed to the nature and ecosystems, while commoditising water and profiteering on it.
10. The need of participatory planning, implementation, and oversight of safe, sustainable, and resilient water management and governance systems to meet the drinking, domestic, irrigation, commercial, industrial, infrastructural, developmental, and emergency water needs of populations in all hill regions, in a reasonable manner. 
11. The essentiality of safeguarding gender, equity and inclusiveness in the entire processes around water and climate.
12. Realising the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation with an acknowledgement that water, sanitation and hygiene are fundamental for sustainable development.

All participants of the Conclave hereby commit to the careful realisation of the better future for the hill lives around water and climate, by way of generating necessary data, mindful reviews, and analysis of the same, and actions that lead to sustainability. We also expect that the fellow citizens who are residing in other terrains, community and civil society groups, governments at different levels, and global authorities, will reciprocate the spirit of this declaration and act upon the importance of building the future and safety of lives and the world around water.