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DIMAPUR — The Deputy General Manager of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Neeraj Khare, on Monday assured that the firm would complete the maintenance work of the Wokha-Merapani road and construction of the damaged portion during the liability period.
Highlighting the status of Wokha-Merapani road progress during the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting held at the DC’s conference hall in Wokha, Khare said that the maintenance work of the road will begin within 10 days.
According to an update from DIPR, advisor for Agriculture and DPDB chairman, Mhathung Yanthan, thanked NHIDCL for assuring the board of the prompt resumption of maintenance work. He also assured support of the government and the stakeholders for successful implementation of the project.
During the meeting, director of Land Resources, Albert Ngullie, discussed groundwater governance through springshed management in Wokha town, highlighting Nagaland’s leadership in this programme. He mentioned that his department has initiated three major plantation crops--rubber, arecanut and coffee -- in Wokha district along with the springshed management project.
Explaining the concept of springsheds, as interconnected watersheds and aquifers supplying water to springs, he cited an ongoing case study, which uses a six-step protocol for comprehensive spring mapping, data management, social and governance system analysis, hydrogeological mapping, springshed management protocol development, and impact assessment of revival efforts.
Ngullie highlighted that the study area, featuring alternating shale and sandstone rocks, has the majority of springs' recharge areas in Mount Tiyi. He also advocated for a landscape-based approach involving multiple stakeholders to address groundwater issues, emphasising robust planning, a focus on groundwater management, and inclusive governance.
He went on to say that the success of the project hinges on the convergence between state authorities, technical experts, and NGOs within the district and involve fund mobilisation, supervision of works, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) with strong support from local legislators and district administration.
Mukesh Patil, scientist from ACWADAM, highlighted the importance of springshed management for Wokha Town, emphasising the need to rejuvenate and restore Mount Tiyi for water conservation, especially as the springshed supplies drinking and domestic water to the town's inhabitants. He went on to stress the need for a holistic approach that considers the demand and supply of water, water quality, and involves all relevant departments in a multi-stakeholder partnership.
The board also discussed other agenda including registration of Wokha District Electrical Goods Retailers Union, establishment of Don Bosco School at Akuk, Government Primary School, Satsuphen, and Government Primary Health Care Centre (PHC) at Satsuphen.
The board chairman launched a booklet on the preparation of the Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) 2024-2025 under the Department of Rural Development Agency (DRDA) translated into the Lotha language.
Later, the board members visited Doyang to inspect the ongoing Clean Doyang Mission. Yanthan thanked the State Disaster Management Authority and Wokha District Administration for the holistic approach employed in the project, while urging stakeholders from across the state, particularly from Wokha district, to participate.