Villagers Lock Gate over Water Supply Concerns in Papum Pare
Residents of Poma village in Sangdupota circle, Papum Pare district, have taken matters into their own hands due to the alleged inaction of the Public Health Engineering & Water Supply (PHE&WS) Department regarding the protection of catchment areas essential for Itanagar town's water supply.
Villagers' Grievances
On Monday, the Poma Panchayat Youth Welfare Society (PPYWS), gaon buras (GBs), panchayat leaders, and elders issued a warning against the PHE&WS Department, demanding that they halt human settlement activities near the catchment areas of the Meh and Mupu rivers. The villagers have blocked the only road leading to the water intake point with a gate.
Historical Cooperation and Frustration
The villagers have cooperated with authorities in the past, but they feel that their efforts are being disregarded. They claim that, without their consent, some people have carried out construction activities near the catchment areas. The villagers have prevented their own residents from establishing human settlements in these areas, but now outsiders are doing so without intervention from the department.
North East and Indian Context
This dispute highlights the importance of protecting water resources, especially in the hilly regions of North East India, where water supply systems are often reliant on catchment areas. The incident also underscores the need for effective communication and collaboration between local communities and government departments to ensure the sustainable management of these resources.
Looking Ahead
The villagers have vowed to keep the gate closed until the PHE&WS Department addresses their concerns and presents a long-term solution to safeguard the catchment areas. This standoff serves as a reminder of the critical role that local communities play in the protection and preservation of essential resources like water, and the importance of ensuring that their voices are heard in decision-making processes.