The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a USD 50 million loan agreement aimed at bolstering water security in Meghalaya. The initiative focuses on constructing water-harvesting systems to improve access to water and mitigate community vulnerability to climate change impacts, as stated in a release by the Ministry of Finance.
State-Wide Master Plan and Local Management
The project will develop a comprehensive state-wide Water Harvesting Systems (WHS) master plan that takes into account micro catchment areas and disaster risk management. This plan will serve as a framework for creating localized water security strategies, which will be managed by village employment councils, watershed management committees, and water users’ associations.
The initiative includes the construction of 532 small water-storage facilities across 12 districts, designed to be climate-resilient to effectively capture and manage heavy rainfall and flash floods during the monsoon season. The stored water will enhance water security during the dry season, while also developing 3,000 hectares of command area to provide reliable irrigation for farmers.
The project will establish 50 weather stations for climate data collection and monitoring, alongside implementing micro-irrigation systems in the Garo, Jaintia, and Khasi regions. Additionally, it will pilot-test renewable energy micro-hydropower systems in three WHSs.
ADB will assist in strengthening the capacity of the Meghalaya State Watershed and Wasteland Development Agency and the Soil and Water Conservation Department in water management. The project will also focus on training farmers, particularly women, to enhance productivity in irrigated agriculture, including horticulture and fishery techniques.
Alignment with State Water Policy
After signing the loan agreement, Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, emphasized that the project aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy (MSWP) 2019. The policy aims to achieve sustainable development and management of the state’s water resources through a participatory approach, reducing vulnerability, and promoting integrated water resource management.
Mio Oka, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, highlighted that beyond financing, ADB’s role will include assisting the state in implementing the MSWP and integrating climate adaptation measures into water security plans. This encompasses designing water harvesting systems to support agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, and other productive livelihoods for economic development.
The loan agreement for the Climate-Adaptative Community-Based Water-Harvesting Project in Meghalaya was signed by Juhi Mukherjee for the Government of India and Mio Oka for ADB. Established in 1966, ADB is committed to fostering a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while working to eradicate extreme poverty.
