Department of Land Resources, which is initiating the “Watershed Yatra”, a mass outreach campaign to create awareness about Watershed Development activities carried out under Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) project by the central government, carried out the Yatra at Surumi village, Zunheboto district on February 20.
Addressing the campaign, consultant, DoLR, RD Ministry GoI, Devendra Singh Dhapola, highlighted the main purposes and objectives of the Yatra, which was to create awareness and disseminate information about the responsibilities of maintaining the environment for the future.
He informed that the programme was earlier inaugurated on February 5, 2025, by minister of Rural Development & Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, at Delhi for all the states in India for 60 days, and a 20-day Yatra specifically for Nagaland.
He therefore appealed to the people to learn how to conserve rainwater and informed that JJM and Watershed were directly or indirectly linked with each other. He encouraged coffee plantation as a potential livelihood and cash crop and urged the state to open a Nagaland Coffee Cafe in Delhi to promote and boost the economy.
He cited an example from Uttarakhand, where a person can face up to 10 years in jail for cutting even a single tree without proper permission, and urged the state to use firewood judiciously. He further suggested alternative ways of using rocket chullas to reduce the extensive use of firewood.
Additional director, LRD, Hekato N, while delivering his speech called for plantation of new saplings subsequent of cutting down of trees. Representative of ATMA, Dr Hutoka Jakha informed that Nagaland lacked in the production of winter vegetables and stressed alternative methods like drip irrigation for production of crops such as cabbages and cardamoms.
He explained that without forests, there will be no water sources, as there are no trees or grass to recharge groundwater. District Project Officer, Land Resources, Zunheboto, I. Acato Chishi, while delivering keynote address, emphasized that, the main aim of the yatra was to raise public awareness and encourage informed citizenship.
Earlier, the programme chaired by Watershed Development Team member, Kheshito Awomi began with an invocation by pastor, Surumi Baptist Church, Mughalu Swu and short speech by Beauty and Aesthetics Society of Nagaland Watershed Icon, Ilihika Aye.
The event also witnessed folk song performances by Surumi GBs and coffee planters, street plays by the Mushroom Group and SHG Surumi Village. The programme concluded with a Van Activity (AR Experience) and Shramdaan activities.