(To contribute livelihood improvement in the target areas, SWC activities for the soil water conservation have been implemented)
1. Soil and Water Conservation for Livelihood Improvement
Water conservation plays a crucial role in improving livelihoods within the Project. For instance, according to the Annual Report 2016-17 of SWCD, a beneficiary of a water harvesting pond constructed under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) scheme in 2015-16 received 15 kg of fingerlings through the scheme that same year. Since then, the community has been rearing fish, harvesting more than 75 kg over the past two years from the Water Harvesting Farm Pond constructed under the RIDF scheme.
2. Construction of Rainwater Harvesting Structures
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a simple yet effective method of collecting rainfall for use during dry periods. The harvested rainwater can be stored, utilized in various ways, or directly used for groundwater recharge. With depleting groundwater levels and unpredictable climate conditions, RWH serves as a vital solution to mitigate these challenges. Capturing rainwater helps recharge local aquifers, reduce urban flooding, and ensure water availability in water-scarce areas.
In Meghalaya, despite receiving abundant rainfall during the summer, communities face severe drinking water shortages. While rainwater collection from rooftops is a common practice, the region lacks proper management plans, technical knowledge, and skills for efficient RWH systems. Therefore, raising awareness and implementing effective RWH, conservation, and watershed management strategies are essential. Traditional water harvesting systems can be improved using modern techniques, and proper water resource planning is necessary to make the best use of the region’s abundant water bodies.
Watershed management in Meghalaya focuses on the sustainable use of land and water resources to maximize production while minimizing environmental degradation. This approach includes soil and water conservation, proper land use, erosion prevention, maintaining soil fertility, agricultural water conservation, drainage management, flood control, sediment reduction, and enhancing land productivity.
As part of the Project, various types of RWH ponds are being constructed to improve livelihoods. The size of each pond is determined based on the availability of suitable land near the village. Additionally, the desired size and design are adapted to meet specific community needs.an
meet the water requirements of the community. Unless otherwise prescribed
for an area, the following general guidelines13 developed by PHED may be
used to determine the water requirements of a village community and the
gross storage capacity of the pond.
In Meghalaya State, despite having a sufficient rain in summer, there is acute
shortage of drinking water. Although collecting rainwater from the roof is wide-
spread, an appropriate management plan with required knowledge and skills
of RWH system is not enough. Hence, massive awareness and efficient plan-
ning for RWH, conservation and watershed management is the necessity of the
region. The traditional water harvesting system in the region can be modified
using appropriate techniques. Appropriate water resource planning needs to
be executed for proper use of the huge water bodies of the region. Watershed
management in Meghalaya has been defined as rational utilization of land and
water resources for optimum and sustained production with minimum hazards
to natural resources. It is essentially related to soil and water conservation. It
involves proper land use, protecting land from all forms of degradations, buil-
ding and maintaining soil fertility, conserving water for agricultural use, proper
management of water for drainage, flood protection, sediment reduction, and
increasing the productivity of land use.
In the Project, various types of RWH ponds will be constructed for livelihood
improvement. Size of a pond is usually determined by the availability of ade-
quate land in the vicinity of the village. Besides, desired size and design can
meet the water requirements of the community. Unless otherwise prescribed
for an area, the following general guidelines13 developed by PHED may be
used to determine the water requirements of a village community and the
gross storage capacity of the pond.
