Workshop prepares Sumbuk for development and management of water sources

GANGTOK, 25 Feb: As part of the “Provision of safe domestic drinking water through sustainable development and management of water sources in rural areas of East and South Sikkim” project in convergence with the NREGA Dhara-Vikash Programme of the Rural Management & Development Department, TMI-India organized a district level workshop on Water Security at Block Administrative Centre, Sumbuk, South Sikkim yesterday, informs a press release.

Program Manager, TMI-India, Dr. Ghanashyam Sharma in his address highlighted the problems of water scarcity and decline in agricultural production due to shortage of water in the area, informs the release.
Conservation of local springs and water sources is critical given the changing climatic conditions for securing water for present and future, he stressed. He also stressed on the need of strengthening the Water User Groups to address water related problems and collaborative effort of the local people farmers to raise the agricultural production by adopting new technologies. Showing slides of new farming practices in countries across Asia he acknowledged that the technology available in India can be utilized for enhancing agricultural production.
He also mentioned the issue of disappearance of indigenous varieties of foodgrains, especially rice and the problem of crop infestation. Citing successful examples of Farmers Clubs in Pendam in East Sikkim he stressed on the formation of Farmers Clubs in the area. He further elaborated how TMI-India has been working in convergence with RMDD Department on Dhara Vikash programme in other areas of East Sikkim.
Durga P. Sharma gave an overview of the current activities of TMI-India under the Arghyam project stressing on the importance of traditional water conservation systems (Devithan/Devi Puja) as well as scientific measures like catchment area treatment (staggered trenches and percolation pits).
According to the release, TMI-India has been identifying the spring catchments in several areas of East, South and West Sikkim for catchment area treatment on the basis of scientific geohydrological study. The catchments of some of the springs are now under treatment (staggered trenches) while the remaining ones will be treated under Dhara Vikash programme in near future. Catchment area treatment is a scientific measure to increase the groundwater level by arresting the flow of rainwater and surface runoff which results in the increase in the discharge of spring water.  A participant acknowledged that the discharge level of water of some of the springs have considerably increased following the catchment area treatment carried out last year.
Member, NGO Pendam Gram Vikash Sangathan (PGVS), T.R. Sapkota explained the criteria and process for the formation of Farmers Club, adds the release. He elaborated on the new opportunities that will open up for farmers after the formation of the club such as training on various farm related activities, capacity building, saving/credit scheme, microfinance, etc. after the club formation.
Similarly, President, PGVS, explained about the progressive 42 Farmers’ Clubs that are actively working under their supervision. He spoke on the new farming systems and new equipments like power tiller introduced in Pendam. He encouraged the WUGs by citing examples of Clubs which have been recently felicitated with state level awards for their performances. In addition, he appealed to the people to utilize various schemes launched by the Department of Agriculture which can also be done through the NGO.
Panchayat President, Lunchok Kameray GPUs, R.P. Gurung, appealed to the participants to come forward to address the issues related to water scarcity and decline in agricultural production in the village. Citing the example of dairy farming and milk production unit in the nearby village where he is the Chairman, he encouraged the groups to opt for cash-based farming, the release further informs.
Finally, addressing the gathering, Panchayat President, Sumbuk Kartikey, Khusendra Rai, requested the participants to support the initiative and activities of TMI-India. He stressed that the proper functioning of Water User Groups is immensely important for water management and that the WUGs have to work closely with the Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) formed by the RMDD Department.
G.R. Guragai and T.R. Sapkota of Gram Vikash Sangathan, Pendam, East Sikkim were invited as resource persons at the workshop. A total of 76 participants including the members of 11 Water User Groups (WUGs) of two GPUs, Panchayats, members of NGOs, and local farmers were present in the workshop.