The District-Level Watershed Yatra organised by Department of Land Resources was held in Mokokchung and Wokha. On February 14, the programme was organised at Yimchalu Village Community Hall, Mokokchung, with an event aims to promote awareness and participation in watershed development and land conservation initiatives.
The program commenced with a welcome address by chairman of Yimchalu Village Council, C. Wati Walling. Delivering keynote address, Sentinungla, District Project Officer (DPO), department of Land Resources, informed that the campaign began in Kohima on February 5 and reached Mokokchung on February 13. She described the Yatra as a pilgrimage, to create mass awareness and encourage public participation in land and water conservation.
She highlighted the importance of preventing migration due to water scarcity and urged the community to implement trenches, tanks, and water conservation structures to recharge land and maintain soil fertility for future generations.
Land and Water Conservation Pledge was administered by Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Thsüvisie Phoji who also delivered a special guest address. He pointed out that less than 50% of the rural population was engaged in agricultural work, with most focusing on plantations. He emphasized that Nagaland’s favourable climate conditions and Yimchalu’s abundant water sources should be harnessed for sustainable development.
Acknowledging water scarcity issues in Mokokchung and other major headquarters in the state, he stressed the need for collective action to conserve and protect water resources. DC also lauded Yimchalu village for their bold initiatives and encouraged them to be torchbearers for neighboring communities and the state.
The event featured several activities, including a short play by Music & Drama Committee of Eden Academy, Mokokchung. A knowledge-sharing session, Watershed ki Paathshala, was conducted by Ruokuosietuo Dzūvichu, DSCO, Mokokchung, and B. Imti Tzudir, District Agriculture Officer, Mokokchung. A special folk dance was presented by Yimchalu Students Cultural Troupe.
The Yatra also included various competitions and exhibitions such as a painting competition themed “Save Trees, Save Earth”, a quiz competition, and a display and sale of SHG products. Other activities included a van activity (AR) and Shramdaan efforts focused on Coffee Bush Management at a coffee plantation site by the Yimchalu Watershed Committee.
The event concluded with the Lokarpan (Handing Over) Phase, where assets such as the Watershed Structure (WHS) and a Water Reservoir Tank were handed over by the DPO, LRD, Mokokchung.
Wokha: In Wokha the three-day awareness campaign on watershed Yatra was held at Lakhuti village, Akuk village and Sanis town under Wokha district from February 10 to 12, 2025. The objective of conducting the campaign was to generate people’s participation and raise awareness about watershed development activities under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0).
ADC Sanis, Benjamin Longkap stressed on the importance of conservation termed, land and water as the basis of life, and encouraged the gathering for efficient conservation, and promotion of land and water resources management for our livelihood and sustainability. He encouraged the gathering to take proactive part in such programme in order to increase community participation and reminded that such scheme aims not only to benefit the present generation but also focuses to benefit the future generation as well.
Painting competition and quiz competition was also conducted during the three days awareness campaign in all the locations. The painting competition was held under the theme “Natural resource Conservation”, “Water Conservation” and “Save Tree, Save Earth”.
The campaign also witnessed Shramdaan activities like spring rejuvenation works, bush management and soil conservation works at coffee farm and soil and moisture conservation works & weed management at coffee farm, which was demonstrated by Lakhuti watershed committee, Akuk and Sanis watershed committee respectively. The closing phase (Lokarpan) handing over assets (Water Harvesting Structure WHS, machineries) was done by DPO, Land Resources, Wokha, Puthuto Natso.
The campaign was also designed to promote people’s participation (Jan Bhagidari) in watershed development and conservation and focuses on improving water conservation, Soil health and agricultural sustainability and ensuring the sustainability of watershed assets such as dugout ponds, check dams, contour trenches are designed under the scheme.