Draft

Meghalaya
State Water Policy
2013 
 
 
 

Table of contents
1. Introduction

1.1 Structure of the document
2. Current situation of water resources in Meghalaya
2.1 Physical environment
2.1.1 Topography and recharge of water resources
2.1.2 Climate/rainfall
2.1.3 Vegetation/land use
2.2 Demographics
2.3 Economy
2.4 Climate Change
2.5 Legal and policy framework for the water sector
2.5.1 India’s national policy framework for the water sector
2.5.2 International conventions and treaties
2.5.3 Meghalaya’s policy framework for the water sector
2.5.4 Interstate policy framework for shared water resource management
2.5.5 Institutional framework for the water sector
2.5.6 Central government
2.5.7 State government
2.5.8 District government and community level
2.5.9 Private sector
2.5.10 Civil society and NGOs
2.5.11 Research institutions
2.6 Water resource management
2.6.1 Water availability and quality
2.6.2 Different water uses and potentials
2.7 Challenges
2.7.1 Increasing and competing demands for water
2.7.2 Water pollution
2.7.3 Land degradation
2.7.4 Biodiversity
2.7.5 Floods and Drought
2.7.6 Institutional landscape and coordination
2.7.7 Institutional capacity
2.7.8 Financial viability
2.7.9 Data availability and Information system
3. Policy targets
3.1 Vision
3.1.1 Principles
3.1.2 Objectives
3.2 Strategic orientation
3.2.1 Water resource management
3.2.2 Rural water supply and sanitation
3.2.3 Urban water supply, waste water and sanitation
3.2.4 Agriculture and irrigation
3.2.5 Other uses of water
3.2.6 Governance
3.2.7 Planning, implementation and construction
3.2.8 Operation & maintenance
3.2.9 Financing
3.2.10 Disaster management and risk reduction

 3.2.11 Environment
3.2.12 Climate change
3.2.13 Knowledge, research and data
4. Implementation of the state water policy
4.1 Institutional, capacity, institutional, legal and regulatory aspects
4.2 Sector coordination
4.3 Action plan
4.4 Monitoring and evaluation
Annex A Action plan
Annex B Stakeholder consultation plan
Annex C References/bibliography

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

BDA Basin Development Authority
CDM Clean Development Mechanism
CEO Chief Executive Officer
CER Certified Emission Reduction
CFTRI Central Food Technology Research Institute
CSIR Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
DBT Department of Biotechnology
DRDA District Rural Development Agency
FRI Forestry Research Institute
GDP Gross domestic product
GIZ GesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammenarbeit
ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research
ICFRE Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education
ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐Arid Tropics
IIT Indian Institute of Technology
MNRE Ministry of Renewable Energy
MoEF Ministry of Environment and Forest
MoP Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
MoRD Ministry of Rural Development
MWR Ministry of Water Resources
NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
NGO Non‐governmental organization
NOVOD National Oilseed and Vegetable Oils Development Board
NRAA National Rainfed Area Authority
NREGS National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
OECD Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development
PRIA Society for Participatory Research in Asia
R&D Research and Development
RIS Research and Development System for Developing Countries
IRS Indian Rupees (1€ = ~60 Rs.)
SPWP Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development
SVO Straight vegetable oil
TBO Tree‐borne oilseed
TERI The Energy Research Institute
VAT Value added tax
VEC Village Electrification Committee
VESP Village Energy Security Programme

1. Introduction 

Water is a natural resource, fundamental to life, livelihood, food security
and sustainable development. In addition, there are challenges of frequent floods
and droughts in many parts of Meghalaya. With a growing population and rising
needs of a fast developing state as well as the given indications of the impact of
climate change, availability of utilizable water will be under further strains in
future with the possibility of deepening water conflicts among different user
groups. Low public consciousness about the overall scarcity and economic value
of water results in its wastage and inefficient use. In addition, there are
inequities distribution and lack of a unified perspective in planning, management
and use of water resources.

Realising the significance and scarcity attached to the fresh water and the fact
that it is an essential requirement for sustaining all forms of life, it has to be
planned, developed, conserved and managed with utmost prudence and care.

The importance of water is critical in relation to several aspects of life:
 Safe drinking water is a human right and a fundamental requirement for
people to live a healthy life
 Clean water is essential for hygiene and disease control
 Water is needed for the production of food
 Water is fundamental in the sustenance of ecosystems, biodiversity and
environmental services
 Water is a requirement for economic activity; it serves multiple purposes in
relation to agriculture,fisheries,industrial production, energy supply, and
tourism

However, due to the monsoon climatic patterns of Meghalaya with very high
precipitation concentrated in a few months of the year and limited rains in other
seasons, the spatial and temporal distribution of water is uneven. Hence, while
the State is generally well‐endowed with water resources periodic or local water
scarcity and drought occurs. Moreover, overabundance of water at other times
or other locations can lead to floods, which damage crops, property,
infrastructure and can lead to casualties. Furthermore, climate change is
influencing the hydrological systems and water availability with increasingly
erratic and unpredictable rainfall patterns and increased frequency and
magnitude of extreme events, such as droughts and heavy rains leading to floods.

Water resources and hydrological systems are increasingly under pressure from
a combination of multiple factors, such as:
 Increasing and competing demands due to population growth and economic
development
 Pollution from industries, agriculture, and household waste. This poses a
threat to both peoples’ health and the environment
 Disruption of hydrological cycles caused by climate change, deforestation,
and excessive water abstraction, which affects rainfall patterns, water flow in

 rivers, groundwater levels, and surface run‐off. The impact related to this
includes water scarcity, drought, floods and erosion; which can lead to
famine, disease, and loss of lives, property and economic opportunities

Sustainable and equitable planning, development and management of water
resources is critical for the economic development of Meghalaya and for securing
health and livelihoods of her citizens, while protecting the state’s natural assets.
Considering the multiple and competing needs for, and uses of, water and the
multiple and complex processes putting increased pressure on water resources,
water resources must be managed in an integrated and holistic manner, where
the various social, economic and environmental needs are balanced and met in a
sustainable manner.

The Meghalaya State Government has the responsibility to govern and lead this,
while taking national priorities, policies, and legislation into account.

The Meghalaya State Water Policy provides the framework for sustainable
management of Meghalaya’s water resources. The State Water Policy builds on
India’s National Water Policy (2012).Previously, the policies and legislation
governing the water sector in Meghalaya and in India was sectoral and did not
sufficiently apply an integrated and holistic approach to water management and
planning, and as a result, and as a result they did not provide an adequate
framework to ensure sustainable water resource management. Hence, the
Meghalaya State Water Policy implies a significant shift of paradigm and move
towards an integrated and more sustainable management of the State’s water
resources. Applying an integrated water resources management (IWRM)
approach, the State Water Policy targets all stakeholders in the water sector.
This includes state government agencies and staff at all levels, district
government, district councils, water user associations, private sector, civil
society, research institutions, and international development partners. It frames
the roles and responsibilities of these stakeholders. Furthermore, the State
Water Policy recognises cross‐sectoral issues related to water use and links to
other relevant state and national sector policies.

1.1 Structure of the document

The policy is organized into four sections:
 Section 1: Provides the introduction to the policy, the applied methodology
and the structure.
 Section 2: Provides an overview of the current status of the water sector in
Meghalaya: the physical environment; the socio‐economic context; the policy
and legal framework; current water availability and use; and potentials and
challenges.
 Section 3: Describes the State Water Policy’s vision, strategy and objectives
vis‐à‐vis water resource management and use of water for different purposes
and by different sectors. It also describes the vision, strategy and objectives
for water governance and rights; modalities for operation, maintenance and
financing; capacity development objectives; disaster management
environmental protection; and climate change adaptation.

 Section 4: Describes the modalities for implementation of the State Water
Policy, its institutional and legal implications, and investment planning.
Furthermore, it provides an action plan for implementation and outlines
monitoring arrangements.

2. Current situation of water resources in Meghalaya 
2.1 Physical environment
2.1.1 Topography and recharge of water resources
The total area of Meghalaya is 22,429 km2. Meghalaya comprises a hilly upland
plateau formed by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills with an elevation ranging
from 150to 1961 meters above sea level. Due to the undulating terrain only 12%
of the geographical area of Meghalaya is suitable for agricultural cultivation
(source: Twelfth Five Year Plan – 2007‐2012).
The state of Meghalaya is blessed with bountiful water resources that need to be
harnessed. Hydrologically, the State comprises of two basins, viz., the Left Bank
of Brahmaputra Basin (11220.11 km2) and the Brahmaputra Tributaries Basin
(11208.89 km2), three catchments viz., Kalang to Dhansiri Confluence (about
4499.61 km2), Bangladesh Border to Kalang Confluence (about 6720.50 km2)
and South Flowing Drainage of Meghalaya (11208.89 km2), eight sub catchments
with a size range of 2.08 to 2.46 lakh hectare 35 watersheds with a size range of
0.03 to 0.22 lakh hectare.
Meghalaya is sharing water resources with Assam and Bangladesh, with
Meghalaya being located upstream. The state has 3300 km of rivers and 390 ha
of swamps. Rivers and streams in Meghalaya are generally fast flowing.
These are the main rivers and streams in Meghalaya:

 Brahmaputra basin: Dilni, Ganol, Jinjiram, Ringgi, Ghagua, Didak, Damring,
Krishnai, Dudhnoi, Ronggre, Umsiang, Umkhri, Umiam, Umiew, Myntang, and
Umlarem
 Meghna/Barak basin: Kangra, Simsang, Dareng, Darong, Rongik, Kynshi,
Umngi, Myntdu, Umngot and Lubha

There is a very high density of drainage network system in Meghalaya, but
most of the rivers and streams have water only during the rainy season and
many streams dry up or their flow dwindles during the summer leading to water
scarcity. Groundwater is the largest accessible and yet underdeveloped resource
in the entire State. The regional water shortages and water crises can only be
met with a rational and sustainable use of this untapped freshwater reservoir.
The importance and contribution of ground water is felt in the recent years to
cope with development and scarcity situations, particularly to meet the drinking
water needs.

The annual gross dynamic ground water recharge of Meghalaya has been
estimated as 1.234 billion m3 (BCM). Annual allocation for domestic & industrial
water requirement up to year 2025 is estimated as 0.096 billion m3 as per census
2001. 1.014 billion m3 of ground water potential may be utilized for irrigation.

The level of ground water development in the state is 0.15%. (Source: Central
Ground Water Board, 2012).

2.1.2 Climate/rainfall

The only form of precipitation occurring in Meghalaya is rainfall. The State
receives bountiful rainfall, especially in its southern river basins and boasts the
highest annual rainfall in the world in the belt of Sohra‐Mawsynram region.
However, there is considerable variation in the rainfall; the average annual
rainfall scenario in the State is presented below:

 Southern Meghalaya = 2600mm
 Northern Meghalaya = 2500 to 3000mm
 South Eastern Meghalaya = 4000mm
 State average = 2818mm

Furthermore, the temporal distribution of precipitation is uneven; most of the
rainfall is received during the Southwest Monsoon. As a result, many parts of the
state experiences acute water shortages during the dry season.

Depending on altitude and season, temperatures range from 2 C to 36 C.

2.1.3 Vegetation/land use

The natural vegetation of Meghalaya is primarily mountainous moist broadleaf
forest, which is tropical, subtropical or temperate, depending on elevation. The
forest cover is high, according to the State of Forest Report (2001, Forest Survey
of India), the total forest cover is 15,584 km2 corresponding to approx. 70% of
the total geographical area, comprising a mix of dense forest, open forests and
scrub forests.

The main anthropogenic land use is agriculture. Agriculture in Meghalaya is in
many places characterised by the widespread use of “jhum” shifting cultivation
and a large proportion of the area classified as forest is actually jhum fallow
regrowth; in 1987‐1997, an estimated 1800 km2 of the forest was part of
theJhumfallow cycle. Permanent bun cultivation, where slopes are terraced to
reduce surface runoff and erosion, is also practiced, especially in East Khasi
HillsThe total cropped area in Meghalaya is 2658 km2 corresponding 11.85% of
the total geographical area.

Most of the villages are situated on the top of the hills, while water sources like
streams and rivers flow at the bottom of the hills.

2.2 Demographics

The population of Meghalaya is presently over 2.96 million (source: 2011
population census), but with the current decadal growth rate in Meghalaya of

27.82%(source: 2011 population census), it is expected to reach a level of
around 3.39 million by 2025 AD. However, while the population growth rate is
high, the population density at 132 persons per km2 remains much lower than
the national average. Approximately 80% of the population is rural. The
population of the state is diverse, and comprises primarily a number of tribal
ethnic groups, with approximately 85% classified by the Government as
scheduled tribes (source: the Eleventh Five Year Plan, 2007‐2012). The Khasis
are the largest group, followed by the Garos. Other groups include the Jaintias,
the Koch, the related Rajbongshi, the Boro, Hajong, Dimasa, Hmar, Kuki, Lakhar,
Mikir, Rabha and Nepali.

2.3 Economy

The annual per capita income in Meghalaya is 90% of the national average; in
2005‐6 it was Rs. 18,074 compared to the national Rs. 20,816 (source: the
Eleventh Five Year Plan, 2007‐2012). Poverty is widespread in the State with an
estimated 18.50% living below poverty line in 2004‐5, although this figure was
lower than the national average of 27.80% (source: the Eleventh Five Year Plan,
2007‐2012). Furthermore, the average annual economic growth rate in 2007‐
2012 was 9.1%, compared to the national annual of 7.8% (source: the Twelfth
Five Year Plan, 2012‐2017). Approximately 80% of the population depends on
agriculture as the primary source of livelihood. However, the contribution of the
primary sector to the State’s economy has declined from 23.25% in 2004‐05 to
17.04% in 2011‐12. In the same period, the contribution of the industrial sector
has increased from 26.14% in 2004‐05 to 29.4%. The contribution of the tertiary
sector to the GSDP increased from 50.61% to 53.55%. (source: the Twelfth Five
Year Plan, 2012‐2017).

2.4 Climate Change

The state of Meghalaya is highly prone to the effects of climate change because of
its geo‐ecological fragility, humid monsoon climate, and socio‐economic
problems. Since 2005‐6, there has reportedly been a trend of declining annual
rainfalls in Meghalaya; this is attributed by experts to a combination of climate
change and deforestation. However, climate models predict 2‐3.5C temperature
increases and a 250‐500 mm increase in precipitation (the rainfall increase is
predicted to be higher in forest covered areas). Furthermore, the rainfall
variability and occurrence of extreme events has increased and is expected to
further increase, with monsoon rains already having increased drastically since
2001 and shifted towards the “post‐monsoon” period. This has over the last
twenty years lead to an increased frequency and magnitude of floods during the
monsoon.

At the same time, the occurrence of droughts has increased in Meghalaya. Thus,
climate change will in the future further increase the frequency and magnitude
of floods and droughts.

Short duration heavy rainfall and unprecedented variations in temperature and
climate pose a potential destructive effect on the agriculture, the mainstay in the

State. Meghalaya’s rich natural resources and horticulture production of tropical,
sub‐tropical and temperate fruits and vegetables and tea bushes are highly
sensitive to climate change. Hence, climate change impacts are potentially very
severe for the environmental security and sustainability and thus for rural
livelihoods. Calamitous hailstorms also cause crop damage.

The increased uncertainty, variability and unpredictability is make agricultural
planning more difficult.As a result of this, crop production is affected, which
threatens the livelihoods of the vast majority of Meghalaya's population, who are
engaged in the agricultural sector. The following specific negative impacts of
climate change in Meghalaya can be noted:

 Due to excessive rainfall food grains are destroyed, resulting in low
agricultural productivity, which in turn is increasing food insecurity. The
rainfalls also affect the growth of the young plants at the nursery stage.
 Heavy rain falls increase the soil erosion associated with shifting
cultivation in hilly areas.
 Climate change and specifically floods have forced people to leave their
homes and land. This internal displacement has caused a dramatic
increase in environmental refugees. Meghalaya has seen a significant
increase in the number of environmental refugees from Bangladesh,
which put further strains on the State's resources.
 Climate change is not only affecting the livelihoods of hill farmers who
depend on sub‐soil water, but has also resulted in shortages of drinking
water, particularly during winter months.
 Forests have been destroyed because of the drastic climatic conditions
disturbing the flora/ecosystems of the Meghalaya.

2.5 Legal and policy framework for the water sector

2.5.1 India’s national policy framework for the water sector
2.5.1.1 The Strategic Plan for Rural Drinking Water in India
This document sets out a strategic plan for the Department of Drinking Water
and Sanitation in the rural drinking water sector for the period 2011 to 2022.
The Plan is broadly set out in the following parts:
 Aspirations and Goals for the Strategic Plan of the Department of Drinking
Water and Sanitation and the rural drinking water sector as a whole.
 The current situation, and challenges concerning the rural drinking water
sector.
 The Strategy and Implementation Plans for different objectives: The
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has identified five Strategic
Objectives (Source Sustainability; Water Quality Management;
Sustainable Service Delivery (O&M), Strengthen Decentralised
Governance, and Build Professional Capacity) to achieve its overall
objective of providing improved, sustainable drinking water services in
rural communities.
 The Implementation Plan under each Strategy provides options from
which each State can formulate its own Implementation Plan depending

 on its needs, capacity and resources, and establish a timeframe for
achieving transformation.
 The Learning Agenda, Resources Required and Key Performance
Indicators to monitor progress against the Strategy and Implementation
Plans.

The Government of India, through the Department of Drinking Water and
Sanitation, has already taken significant steps to meet this challenge through the
National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP).
This document has been prepared to help operationalize the NRDWP by setting
out a Strategic Plan in terms of aspirations, goals, objectives and strategic
initiatives for the sector for the period 2011‐2022.

Aspirations:
All rural households to have access to piped water supply in adequate quantity
with a metered tap connection providing safe drinking water, throughout the
year, that meets prevalent national drinking water standards, leading to healthy
and well‐nourished children and adults and improved livelihoods and education.
Continuous uninterrupted water supply is an aspiration and efforts should be
made to cover increasing numbers of habitations with 24x7water supply.

Goals:
To ensure that every rural person has enough safe water for drinking, cooking
and other domestic needs as well as livestock throughout the year including
during natural disasters. By 2022, every rural person in the country will have
access to 70 lpcd within their household premises or at a horizontal or vertical
distance of not more than 50 meters from their household without barriers of
social or financial discrimination. Individual States can adopt higher quantity
norms, such as 100 lpcd.
It is recognized that States will adopt their own strategies and phased
timeframes to achieve this goal. Three standards of service can be identified
depending on what communities want:
 Basic piped water supply with a mix of household connections, public
taps and hand pumps (designed for 55 lpcd) ‐with appropriate costing as
decided by States taking affordability and social equity into consideration
 Piped water supply with all metered, household connections (designed
for 70 lpcd or more) ‐ with appropriate cost ceilings as decided by States
taking affordability and social equity into consideration.
 In extreme cases, hand pumps (designed for 40 lpcd), protected open
wells, protected ponds, etc., supplemented by other local sources –
preferably free of cost. Optimum use of rainwater should be an integrated
element in all the three cases.

Timelines:

By 2017,
 Ensure that at least 55% of rural households are provided with piped
water supply; at least 35% of rural households have piped water supply
with a household connection; less than 20% use public taps and less than

 45% use hand pumps or other safe and adequate private water sources.
All services meet set standards in terms of quality and number of hours of
supply every day.
 Ensure that all households, schools and anganwadis in rural India have
access to and use adequate quantity of safe drinking water.
 Provide enabling support and environment for Panchayat Raj Institutions
and local communities to manage at least 60% of rural drinking water
sources and systems.

By 2022,
 Ensure that at least 90% of rural households are provided with piped
water supply; at least 80% of rural households have piped water supply
with a household connection; less than 10% use public taps and less than
10% use hand pumps or other safe and adequate private water sources.
 Provide enabling support and environment for all Panchayat Raj
Institutions and local communities to manage 100% of rural drinking
water sources and systems.

2.5.1.2 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The MDG most directly related to water is MDG 7 “Ensure Environmental
Sustainability”, in particular Target 10 “halve, by 2015, the proportion of people
without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation”. In India,
the first indicator “proportion of the population with sustainable access to an
improved water source” (target: 83% coverage) related to this target was
achieved already in 2007‐8 with a84.4 per cent coverage (Source: Millennium
Development Goals – India Country Report 2011). However, the second indicator
“proportion of the population with access to improved sanitation (62%)” is not
likely to be met, with an expected coverage in 2015 of 57% (Source: Millennium
Development Goals – India Country Report 2011). In rural areas, the estimated
coverage in 2015 in rural areas is 52.16% covered (MDG target 53.36%). In
urban areas, the target is likely to be met with an expected coverage of 88.36%
(MDG target 87.86%). (Source: Millennium Development Goals – India Country
Report 2011).

Furthermore, water management of relevance to achieving the MDGs in other
ways:

 MDG 1: Eradicated extreme poverty and hunger – Water management is a
central element of agricultural productions; thus improved water
management can increase yields and thereby enhance incomes and food
security of poor farmers
 MDG 4: Reduce child mortality and MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and
other diseases – Access to clean water and sanitation reduces the
vulnerability to waterborne and other diseases
 MDG 6: Ensure Environmental Sustainability – Water management is closely
linked to environmental protection in several ways, including: water quality
and pollution, wetland and habitat protection, erosion, salinisation, and soil
fertility

2.5.1.3 National Water Policy
India’s National Water Policy (2012) outlines a number of principles for the
future water management in India, including a shift towards integrated and
environmentally sustainable water management in recognition of human, social
and economic needs. The basic unit for water planning is established as the river
basin. Equitable water access, good governance based on informed decisions,
and stakeholder consultations are other key principles. Access to safe and clean
drinking water and sanitation are defined as a right, all other uses of water are
viewed as an economic good, which is to be conserved and used efficiently. Thus,
drinking water needs and ecosystem water needs must be met, before water can
be used for other purposes. It is also established that climate change impacts
must be taken into consideration in water management decisions.

The policy calls for the professional operation of water schemes, and for water
pricing and the introduction of tariff systems for cost recovery. States are
responsible for cost recovery, including establishing water tariff systems and
specify criteria for water charges, preferably on volumetric basis, at sub‐basin,
river basin and state level after ascertaining the views of the beneficiary public,
based on the principle that water charges shall reflect full cost recovery and take
any cross‐subsidies into account.

Similarly, recycling and reuse of water is encouraged after treatment to specified
standards through tariff systems, in which there is a cost for the quantity
withdrawn, a refund for properly treated water returned for reuse, and heavy
fines for returning polluted waters.

The role of the states is to be transformed from service provision towards
regulation and the service provider role, shall be transferred to communities and
the private sector.

The National Policy thus calls for giving water users’ associations statutory
powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the water
allotted to them and maintain distribution systems. Local governing bodies, such
as durbars, panchayats, municipalities, corporations, and water users’
associations shall be involved in planning and implementation of water projects.

A Water Regulatory Authority should be established in each state, with the
responsibility to regulate the water tariff system and charges. The Authority may
also have functions other than tariff systems, such as regulating allocations,
monitoring operations, reviewing performance and suggesting policy changes,
etc. They may also assist in resolving intra‐state water related disputes.

The National Policy states “water needs to be managed as a community resource
held, by the state, under public trust doctrine to achieve food security, livelihood,
and equitable and sustainable development for all; it also calls for strengthening
community‐based water management. The National Policy recognises that States
have the right to frame policies, laws and regulations on water. For interstate
rivers and basins, the National Policy calls for national legislation to enable the
establishment of basin authorities with appropriate powers to plan, manage and

regulate utilization of water resource in the basins. Inter‐basin transfers to
recharge water stressed areas are encouraged.
2.5.2 International conventions and treaties

India is signatory to the following international laws, protocols, agreements and
declarations that place obligations on the government in relation to ensuring
sustainable and equitable water management and access:

 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC,
1992
 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention),
1971 (ratified by India in 1982)
 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1976
(ratified by India in 1979)
2.5.3 Meghalaya’s policy framework for the water sector
2.5.3.1 Meghalaya Vision 2030

Vision 2030 (2011) is the overarching development vision for Meghalaya. It aims
at ensuring inclusive economic and political empowerment, which it
acknowledges requires inclusive and participatory governance. Furthermore, it
calls for the provision in the urban and rural areas of water supply to ensure the
wellbeing of people, and water harvesting and water retention along with major
irrigation based on river and stream water, is seen as precondition for
agricultural development in Meghalaya. It emphasises that devolution of
irrigation, water supply and sanitation service delivery to local communities
helps reduce the cost of delivery, and as local residents are most familiar with
local conditions they can use their knowledge to best decide where to situate the
service.
2.5.3.2 Five Year Plans
Meghalaya’s Five Year Plans outline development priorities and objectives for
the higher level and for all sectors, including specific programmes and five‐year
budgets within the overall framework of Meghalaya Vision 2030.

The Twelfth Five Year Plan, 2012‐2017 has three overarching priorities:
1) To harness the state’s natural resources for sustainable livelihoods,
2) To expand and strengthen the infrastructural base, and
3) To build capacity among the people.

Water is mentioned in several sectors, in particular in relation to water
resources management, agricultural production, water and sanitation, and
environmental protection.

Priority 1: Focuses on agricultural/primary production, acknowledging that
water resources management is a key focus area, such as promoting effective
groundwater use, rainwater harvesting and small multipurpose reservoirs, e.g. in

order to address the vulnerability of rain fed agriculture to weather conditions
and climate change.

Priority 2): Concern is raised that while there has been a push towards
increasing the area under irrigation, irrigation investments comprise only 2.7%
of the total spending under previous Five Year Plans.

The 12th Five Year Plan also emphasises to further utilize the State’s hydropower
potential through large, small and medium scale schemes. The Five Year Plan
also outlines objectives to further increase the coverage of urban and rural water
supply and sanitation.

The overall strategy for water is to embrace an integrated water resources
management approach, which seeks to:

 Encourage planning and management of natural water systems through a
dynamic process
 Balance competing uses of water through efficient allocation that addresses
social values, cost effectiveness, and environmental benefits and costs
 Require the participation of all units of government and stakeholders in
decision‐making through a process of coordination and conflict resolution
 Promote water conservation, reuse, source protection, and supply
development to enhance water quality and quantity
 Foster public health, safety, and community goodwill
2.5.3.3 State Action Plan on Climate Change
The State Action Plan on Climate Change has the objective of stabilising
greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing ecosystem resilience. With a projected
enhanced water scarcity due to climate change, the Plan aims at improving water
efficiency by 20%.

The key priorities of the Plan in relation to the water sector are:
 Formulation of an equitable Meghalaya State Water Policy;
 Expansion of the hydrometric network and river monitoring to improve data
availability;
 Development of flood and drought forecasting models;
 Restoration and creation of water structures;
 Preparation and implementation of a water management plan (Integrated
Water Resource Management)
 Water conservation
 Minimise waste and ensure equitable distribution, and
 Establishment of the Meghalaya River Basin Authority.

In relation to agricultural water, its main focus is on:
 Enhancing the resilience of rain fed agriculture,
 Small‐scale irrigation, and rehabilitation of existing water dams,
 Construction of rainwater harvesting facilities,
 Upper catchment protection,
 Drought tolerant crops, and

 Scientific crop management.

In the design of urban water supply and sanitation the need to incorporate
climate change measures is emphasised to manage storm flows and prevent
contamination; furthermore increasing urban water use efficiency and water
conservation are priorities. In relation to mining operations, protection and
management of nearby water bodies is a priority. Regarding energy productions,
the priorities are to undertake climate change related hydrological studies, to
map the hydropower potential, and to construct hydropower plants.
2.5.3.4 State water legislation
The existing State legislations, as indicated below, primarily cover the
prevention and control of water pollution, collection of water cess from
industries and local authorities, and catchment protection.

 The Meghalaya Water (Prevention and Control) Rules, 1996
 The Water Pollution (Procedure for Transaction) of Business Rules, 1975
 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
 The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess Rules, 1978
 Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Areas Act, 1990
2.5.3.5 Other State policies
Other State policies and laws of relevance to water management and use include:

 The Meghalaya Mineral Policy Draft (2008)– specifies that mining operations
must adhere to the legislation on water pollution prevention and control,
address environmental concerns, and not compromise the health and water
access of communities.
 The Tourism Policy of Meghalaya (2011) –highlights the importance of water
for the tourism sector in Meghalaya, in relation to attractive landscape
features (rivers, waterfalls and vegetation) and the potential for water sports.
It also encourages hotel operators to reduce water consumption and harvest
rainwater.
2.5.4 Interstate policy framework for shared water resource management

The Brahmaputra Master Plan is the overall plan for the Indian part of the
Brahmaputra and Barak Basins in relation to the development and utilisation of
water resources of for irrigation, hydropower, navigation and other purposes. It
is divided into three parts:

 Master Plan Part‐I: Main stem of Brahmaputra
 Master Plan Part‐II: Barak river and its eight important tributaries
 Master Plan Part‐III: Important tributaries of the Brahmaputra, Barak,
eight rivers of Tripura, and Majuli Island. Under Part‐
III, individual master plans are made for each
tributary

The Brahmaputra Board Act is the foundation for the Brahmaputra Board, which
is responsible for the Master Plan.

2.5.5 Institutional framework for the water sector
2.5.6 Central government

The Ministry of Water Resources is responsible for national policy, guidelines
and programs for the development and regulation of India's water resources,
including irrigation and inter‐basin transfers. This includes:
 Overall planning, policy formulation, coordination and guidance in the water
resources sector;
 Clearance and monitoring of the irrigation, flood control and multi‐purpose
projects (major/medium);
 Technical and research support for sector development;
 Financial assistance for specific projects, and
 Assistance in obtaining international finance;
 Mediation in inter‐state disputes;
 Operation of the central network for flood forecasting;
 Negotiations with neighbouring countries.

Institutions under the Ministry include:

 Central Water Commission
This technical organisation is responsible for initiating, coordinating and
furthering, in consultation with the State Governments, schemes for control,
conservation and utilisation of water resources. This includes scheme design
and construction (on behalf of National or State Governments), surveys,
technical advice for State Governments on basin and scheme development,
data collection and analysis, research and studies, capacity building, and to
advise the Government of India with regard to Inter‐State water disputes.

 The Brahmaputra Board
The Board is responsible for preparing the Brahmaputra Master Plan, which
is submitted to the Central Government for approval. This includes preparing
detailed project plans, to plan and construct multipurpose dams proposed in
the master plan, and when necessary to maintain and operate dams or
projects. The Board comprises representatives of the State Governments in
Northeast India (including Meghalaya) and Central Government ministries
and departments.
2.5.7 State government
2.5.7.1 Planning Department

The Planning Department of the Government of Meghalaya is the Nodal
Department for all development activities of the Government. It functions as the
liaison body between the national Planning Commission and national Ministries
and the State Government on all matters relating to planning and development
for Meghalaya. At the State level, the Planning Department coordinates all
development activities of different Development Departments.

The Planning Department is responsible for overall strategy development and
planning, including the formulation of the Five Year Plans and Annual Plans. The
Department approves the plans of other departments.

At the district level the District Planning and Development Councils formulate
District Plans and monitors the development activities in the district. The
Department is also the nodal Department handling inter‐sectoral issues relating
to climate change and sustainable development.
2.5.7.2 Department of Water Resources

The Department of Water Resources is to determine the State Water Policy, to
enforce the Water Act and to plan and regulate water management, use and
conservation, including issuing permits for water usage.

The Department of Water Resources is also to take the responsibility to resolve
water disputes and assist local authorities and traditional bodies in managing
water resources and fulfilling the basic water needs of communities.

In practical terms, irrigation has so far been the main area of work of the Water
Resources Department.
2.5.7.3 Meghalaya Basin Development Council and Meghalaya Basin Development
Authority
The Meghalaya Basin Development Council and Meghalaya Basin Development
Authority were established to implement the Integrated Basin Development and
Livelihood Promotion Program. The program aims at promoting optimal and
effective development and utilisation of the State’s natural resources to ensure
livelihood security and inclusive growth within the broad framework of
sustainable development and efficient conservation and preservation of natural
resources, especially, water. This includes improving the capture of surface
water and improving river governance.

The Basin Development Council is headed by the Chief Minister to drive
initiatives with regards to policy planning and coordination, innovation, resource
mobilization, and synergizing the efforts of various stakeholders. The council
includes the Chief Executive Members of Autonomous District Councils.

The Basin Development Authority (BDA) steers the implementation of the
programme and it is chaired by the Chief Secretary. The Authority includes the
Principal Secretaries/Commissioners of water related Departments. Its purpose
is to promote an integrated approach to basin development, bringing all relevant
stakeholders together to do joint planning.
2.5.7.4 Meghalaya State Water Resources Council
At present the responsibilities of water issues of the State are fragmented between 
different departments without any formal mechanism to ensure coordination. For 
multi‐sectoral water planning, planning of water development programs and 
projects, management decisions, inter‐sectoral water allocation, and resolution of 
water resources issues in total coordination of different departments and agencies, a 

State Water Resources Board/Council, with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya as the 
Chairman, has been established. 

2.5.7.5 Meghalaya State Water Resources Agency

The Meghalaya State Water Resources Agency was established in connection
with the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Program to
ensure the protection and conservation of the water sources and the recharge of
ground water. The agency would look into aspects of providing clean safe drinking 
water,  Irrigation,  Hydro  power generation,  protection  of  forest,  issues related  with 
industries  and  their  effect  on  water  bodies  and  similar  other  matters.  The  State 
Water Resources Development Agency will act as a technical secretariat of the State 
Water Resources Council. 

2.5.7.6 Meghalaya State Council on Climate Change and Sustainable Development

The Meghalaya State Council on Climate Change and Sustainable Development
became operationon5 September 2011 under the Chairmanship of the Chief
Minister. Its purpose is to develop a coordinated response to climate change
issues, oversee the formulation of climate change action plans, monitor the
implementation of key policy decisions, and to approve annual action plans.
2.5.7.7 Soil and Water Conservation Department
The Soil and Water Conservation Department is responsible for developing and
implementing schemes projects to conserve soil, water and vegetation and to
promote environmental awareness to ensure sustainable development. This
includes erosion control, terracing, afforestation,water harvesting, and
promoting sustainable land use and soil management practices.
2.5.7.8 Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture is responsible for the promotion of diesel pumps,
shallow tube wells, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
It also engages in watershed development programs.
2.5.7.9 Department of Urban Affairs
The main objective of the Department of Urban Affairs is to ensure proper
planning and management of urban areas, including slums, with emphasis on
provision of infrastructure and amenities, such as proper drinking water
supplies, wastewater treatment and sanitation. The Shillong Municipal Board
falls under the Urban Affairs Department and is responsible for services
provision in Shillong.
2.5.7.10 Public Health Engineering Department
The Public Health Engineering Department is the primary department for
supplying water to households; it undertakes all piping works and domestic
water sourcing. It is responsible for the construction of almost all rural water
and sanitation infrastructure. Furthermore, the Department is responsible for
operating urban drinking water schemes, e.g. in Shillong. The Department
prioritises underground water as water supply source, but when underground
water supply is not feasible, the second choice is shallow wells. When surface
water is used, water is treated, unless it originates from springs. The Department
is also responsible for the implementation of the Community Led Total

Sanitation (CLTS) of the National Total Sanitation Campaign in Meghalaya. In
Meghalaya, CLTS has covered 86% of the districts.
2.5.7.11 Forest and Environment Department
The primary functions of the Forest and Environment Department are to manage
and protect forests and protected areas. Hence, its main role in relation to water
is to protect upper catchments and enforcing the Meghalaya Protection of
Catchment Areas Act.
2.5.7.12 Department of Fisheries
The Department of Fisheries’ role is to develop aquaculture and to increase the
area of water bodies.
2.5.7.13 Public Works Department
The Public Works Department was earlier responsible for the construction of
medium scale irrigation schemes. This, however, is now under the purview of the
Water Resources department. The Public Works Department is also responsible
for carrying out flood protection and Flood Control Works.
2.5.7.14 Program Implementation and Evaluation Department
The Program Implementation and Evaluation Department is responsible for
monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of special development
programs, including water supply schemes.
2.5.7.15 Community and Rural Development Department
The Community and Rural Development Department is implementing different
programs and schemes for economic and social development of people in rural
areas.
2.5.7.16 Directorate of Tourism
The Directorate of Tourism is responsible for the promotion of tourism,
including the upgrading of tourism infrastructure, such as hotels, tourist spots,
water sports, etc,.
2.5.7.17 Power Department
The Power Department is responsible for the regulating and providing
hydropower. Under the Department is the Meghalaya Energy Corporation
Limited, a state‐owned corporation operating as an independent Agency,
responsible for construction and operating large hydropower schemes.
2.5.7.18 Department of Mining and Geology
The Department of Mining and Geology is responsible for regulating the mining
sector and undertaking geological investigations.
2.5.7.19 Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board
The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board is responsible for the prevention
and control of water pollution, monitoring water quality both surface and
ground water.
2.5.8 District government and community level

2.5.8.1 Autonomous District Councils
The three Autonomous District Councils in Meghalaya are vested with
Legislative, Administrative, Executive and Judiciary powers in respect of tribal
interest. They receive grants from the State Government to take up rural
development programs in areas such as construction of drinking wells for rural
water supply.
2.5.8.2 District Water Resources Councils
District Water Resources Councils coordinate the management measures within
each river basin district. They include representatives of public authorities,
municipalities, traditional bodies and nongovernmental organizations. Their
functions include coordinating stakeholders; reviewing management plans and
programmes; evaluating application for ground water exploitation/ drilling;
carrying out economic analyses of water resources use; ensuring public
participation in management planning processes; coordinating program
implementation; developing budget proposals for programs; cooperating with
the authorities of neighbouring river basin districts; and participating in water
status monitoring.They are also authorized to examine and clear water projects
and Schemes proposed by different departments. Monitoring of Scheme
constructions is also to be carried out by the councils.
 
The local Durbars and Water Users’ Associations (WUAs) are to have an important 
part in the implementation and operation of the Schemes in order that the Schemes 
shall be implemented as per their need and that there is no obstacle while 
implementing the Schemes and that the Schemes will provide the intended benefit 
to the beneficiaries.  
 
Water  Users’  Associations  and  the  local  bodies,  such  as  District  Councils, 
Municipalities  and  Headman/Nokmas/Dolloi  should  particularly  be  involved  in  the 
operation,  maintenance  and  management  of  Water  infrastructures/facilities  at 
appropriate levels progressively, with a view to eventually transfer the management 
of  such  facilities  to  the  user  groups/local  bodies/development  partners.  Capacity 
building for the different stakeholders which is very essential. 

2.5.8.3 Communities
Communities depend on water resources for domestic water and sanitation,
agriculture, livestock, fisheries and other income generating activities. The Draft
Meghalaya Water Act (2012) specifies the rights of communities to exercise their
access right to water resources, benefit from the management of water
resources, play a role in water resource management planning and
implementation, be compensated for damaged suffered in relation to water
management, obtain information about and to declare objections against water
management plans, and file complaints and claims. They also have the duty of
ensuring that their water resources are conserved and protecting water
infrastructure.
2.5.8.4 Traditional bodies

Traditional bodies in some rural areas are managing water resources,
undertaking watershed or catchment areas development and taking up drinking
water supply and minor irrigation construction works.
2.5.8.5 Water Users Associations (WUAs)
The State Government can authorise the formation of water users associations.
Water users associations are participatory community organisations involved in
the planning, management, implementation, operation and maintenance, water
allocation, collection of fees and conflict resolution in relation to water projects
and schemes. They collaborate with local government, NGOs and local governing
institutions, and self‐help groups.
2.5.8.6 Watershed Committees
Under the National Watershed Development Programme in Rain fed Areas,
watershed committees were formed and registered as societies to manage
natural resources, engage in sustainable agricultural development and conserve
biodiversity in micro watersheds.
2.5.9 Private sector
Private companies are contracted for constructing, operating and maintaining
water supply structures. Small, medium, and large scale industries, mining
operations, etc, involving in utilization of water and discharge of waste water.
The private sector is anticipated to play an increasing role as Government
gradually shift from service provision to a regulatory function.
2.5.10 Civil society and NGOs
The roles of civil society and Non‐Governmental Organisations shall be to:
 Assist in empowering communities to have community based water
services and water resources management in planning, implementation,
operation and maintenance;
 Encourage communities to manage their water supply systems,
community dams and catchment protection;
 Participate in the provision and investment in rural water supplies and
community dam development consistent with the prevailing Government
policies and guidelines on such investments;
 Assist in mobilization and securing funding for rural and low income
communities for water and sanitation projects;
 Assist in community sensitization on water, sanitation, catchment
management and conservation;
 Liaise between rural low‐income communities and Government/Donors
and other cooperating partners through Local Governments;
 Assist in the provision of water supply and sanitation services in rural
areas and to low‐income groups within urban centres;
 Collect, process, analyse and disseminate relevant data and information to
all stakeholders within the water sector in accordance with national
statistics guidelines and standards;
 Consult the Water Resources Department/PHE Department on issues
related to water and sanitation developments; and
 Ensure compliance with national policies and regulations governing
water and sanitation activities.


2.5.11 Research institutions
The roles of research institutions shall be to:
 Conducting comprehensive research and studies to establish surface and
ground water resources potential to guide management and development
of the resources;
 Determining the minimum allowable distance from a groundwater source
to pit latrines and other similar waste disposal facilities as well as from
one source to another on a case‐by‐case basis depending on the type of
aquifer;
 Promoting applied research in surface and ground water development to
determine affordable and appropriate technologies;
 Undertaking and promoting research in water quality and pollution
control techniques and technologies.
 Provide research in water‐related health issues;
 Conduct research, develop and promote local manufacturing capacity for
water and sanitation related services;
 Collect, process, analyse and disseminate relevant data and information to
all stakeholders within the water sector in accordance with national
statistics guidelines and standards;
 Local universities and other local training institutions shall promote
research and undertake capacity building in the water and sanitation
fields.

2.6 Water resource management

2.6.1 Water availability and quality

The annual availability of surface water in Meghalaya is roughly estimated at
63.204 billion cubic metres and the estimated replenishable ground water
resources are 1.15 billion cubic metres (source: Department of Water Resources
website).According to the Central Ground Water Board, 1.04 billion cubic metres
of ground water are potentially available for utilisation. The state has 8400 ha of
reservoirs and 3734 ha of ponds and tanks.
2.6.2 Different water uses and potentials
The major consumptive uses of water in Meghalaya are irrigation and household
and industrial water supply, with irrigation being the main consumer. Annual
domestic and industrial water requirements up to year 2025 are estimated as
0.096 billion cubic meters as per census 2001, and 1.014 billion cubic metres of
ground water can be utilised for irrigation (source: Central Ground Water Board:
Aquifer Systems of Meghalaya).According to the Central Ground Water Board,
18% of the available groundwater is currently being utilised and there is thus
ample potential for further increasing the exploitation of ground water.
However, ground water stress is building up in urban areas due to water
extraction for domestic purposes. Therefore, to protect exploitation of ground
water the following actions need to be taken:‐

  There should be a periodical reassessment of the ground water
potential on a scientific basis, taking into consideration the quality of
water available and economic viability of its extraction.
 Exploitation of ground water resources should be so regulated as not
to exceed the recharging possibilities, as also to ensure social equity.
The detrimental environmental consequences of overexploitation of
ground water need to be effectively prevented by the Central and
State Governments. Ground water recharge projects should be
developed and implemented for improving both the quality and
availability of ground water resource.
 Integrated and coordinated development of surface water and ground
water resources and their conjunctive use, should be envisaged right
from the project planning stage and should form an integral part of
the project implementation.
2.6.2.1 Water supply and sanitation

The majority of households have access to safe drinking water, but the
proportion of households with tap water connections remains low, except in East
Khasi hills.

Under Rural Drinking Water Supply, as of April 2011, 5041 nos. of habitations
have been fully covered (54 %) while 4285 nos. of habitations have been
partially covered (45 %) both in terms of coverage and per capita availability,
out of a total of 9326 nos. Habitations in the state. Provision of safe drinking
water supply to the remaining Partially Covered Habitations, including other
Newly Identified Partially Covered Habitations (slipped back from fully covered
category due to various reasons including drying up of sources etc.) will be taken
up as per the guidelines of Govt. of India during the 12th Plan period. As of April
2011, there existed 102 nos. of Iron Affected Habitations in the State. Steps
would also be taken for covering the Iron affected habitations and any newly
identified water quality problem for habitations during the 12th Plan period. The
Main Thrust of the Department in the Rural Water Supply Sector during the 12th
Plan period would be to cover all the remaining Partially Covered Habitations as
well as Quality Affected Habitations with 40 Lpcd of potable safe water.

Water related diseases are those which are caused by pathogens or chemicals
where water acts as a conveyance or medium. For example, microbes and
arsenic present in water cause cholera and arsenicosis respectively to human
being. Water related diseases are divided into infectious diseases (biological –
bacteria, virus, worms etc) and non‐infectious diseases (chemicals – arsenic,
fluorosis, nitrates etc). Water related diseases are essentially environmental
health related issues, as these are linked with polluted water, sanitation and
hygiene and these three are intertwined determinants.
2.6.2.2 Agriculture

Agriculture is the primary source of livelihoods in Meghalaya. Some 80% of the
population depend on agriculture. While the cultivated area at any given time
only comprises around 10% of the land area, a significant proportion of the open

forest is the fallow part of the jhum agricultural rotation cycle (source:
Department of Agriculture’s website). In spite of the abundant water availability,
the state is deficit in food grains by 122,000 tonnes annually, and population
growth will further increase this deficit, unless production is increased.

By volume, agriculture is by far the major water consumer in Meghalaya. The
bulk of agriculture in the State is rain fed; only 18.5% of the cultivated area is
irrigated. Thus, there is potential to increase agricultural productivity through
both increasing the area under surface water irrigation and improving water
management in rain fed farming systems.
2.6.2.3 Fisheries
The actual achievement of fish production during the 11th Plan period was
21,413 Metric tonnes and the number of fish seeds produced was 9.46 million.
There is a huge demand‐supply gap in the production of fish and the State has to
adopt a mission mode approach to bridge the gap as soon as possible (source:
Twelfth Five Year Plan – 2007‐2012).
2.6.2.4 Energy/hydropower

The hydropower potential of Meghalaya is large. In 2011, the installed capacity
was 272.70 MW (source: Twelfth Five Year Plan – 2007‐2012), so there is still
much potential to further expand hydropower production. The State
Government plans to increase the production capacity to 1400‐1530 MW. 4425
villages (77%) were electrified by the beginning of 2012 (source: Twelfth Five
Year Plan – 2007‐2012).
2.6.2.5 Mining

While water is used in mining operations, the main related water concerns in the
State are widespread pollution of streams and rivers through mining operations
which results in environmental damage, e.g. to biodiversity, and health hazards
for people living near the mining and downstream areas.
2.6.2.6 Industry

The level of industrial production in Meghalaya is currently low, but as it
expands, the need for water will increase, and so will the volume of wastewater
discharged. Waste water should be managed to prevent contamination and for
reuse and recycling.

2.6.2.7 Tourism and recreation

The number of tourists visiting Meghalaya is increasing, and the State
Government plans to further develop this sector. While the sector needs
domestic water, its primary role in the water sector is non‐consumptive water
use. The major tourist attraction in Meghalaya is the natural beauty, such as
waterfalls, rivers and lush vegetation, which is closely linked to the abundant
water resources.

2.6.2.8 Transport

Inland water transport in Meghalaya is limited, due to the terrain. It mainly takes
place in the low lying areas of the State near the border with Assam and
Bangladesh.

2.7 Challenges

Further development of the water sector in Meghalaya has to address a number
of challenges in the context of poverty, population growth, environmental
degradation and climate change. These concerns need to be addressed on the
basis of sound and well‐aligned policies and effective strategies.
2.7.1 Increasing and competing demands for water

The demand for water will increase significantly as a result of both high
population growth and significant economic growth. Given the needs for water
for multiple purposes, the competition for water is likely to increase in the
future.

Growth processes and the expansion of economic activities inevitably lead to
increasing demands for water for diverse purposes: domestic water supply,
agricultural, industrial, hydropower, transport, recreation etc.

The drinking water needs of people and livestock have gone up. Water demands
for production of food grains have also increased substantially. Furthermore, the
water demand (e.g. for domestic water consumption, irrigation water, water for
livestock) in rural areas is also expected to increase sharply as the development
programmes improve economic conditions of the rural areas.

Demand for water for hydro and thermal power generation and for other
industrial uses is also increasing substantially.

As a result, water, which is already a scare resource, will become even scarcer in
future. This underscores the need for the utmost efficiency in water utilization
and a public awareness of the importance of its conservation. Complex issues of
equity and social justice in regard to water distribution also need to be
addressed, to ensure that the water rights and needs of the poor and vulnerable
are respected.
2.7.2 Water pollution

Although the industrial development of the state is still low, pollution of surface
water from discharges of domestic waste, due to the absence of proper sewerage
systems, and unregulated, unscientific and often illegal mining activities
(especially for coal and lime stone) are creating difficulties for meeting the
increasing drinking water and irrigation water demands.
2.7.3 Land degradation

Due to the high rainfall and hilly terrain, soil and vegetative cover are prone to
erosion. Deforestation and inadequate land management practices such as
cultivation on steep slopes in upper catchments, has led to erosion, flash floods,
silting of water bodies, soil degradation, and the emergence of wastelands.
Furthermore, irrigated agricultural lands are in some places degraded by water
logging and salinisation.
2.7.4 Biodiversity

With the increasing demand for water, there is an increased risk of over‐
extraction, which could deprive ecosystems of their ecological water needs.
Water pollution and disruptions to hydrological cycles caused by dams, siltation
and changes in water levels in the dry and wet seasons are other threats to
aquatic and wetland biodiversity.
2.7.5 Floods and Drought

Floods, which were mostly unheard of in the past, have now begun to affect a
significant population in certain areas of Meghalaya and causing damage to
crops, houses, road and bridges. Initially, 0.02 million ha were flood prone area
in the state, on an average. But this area has now increased to around 0.6 million
ha per year (source: the World Bank). The increased occurrence of floods is
related to the deforestation of upper catchments, which reduces the water
retention capacity and increases surface runoff during the monsoon.

With the highly uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water in the State,
some areas experience drought during the dry season. The occurrence of
drought has increased, one reason being deforestation. Climate change and the
associated temperature changes, erratic rainfalls, and increased magnitude and
frequency of extreme weather events will further increase the occurrence of
floods and drought.

2.7.6 Institutional setup and coordination

The water sector in Meghalaya is characterised by a complex institutional setup
with several government institutions at the national, state and local levels each
being responsible for different areas of water management. Furthermore, the
private sector, civil society and communities have roles, rights and obligations in
the sector. The complexity and somewhat overlapping mandates in the current
institutional setup, e.g. in relation to irrigation, are creating challenges for
ensuring a coordinated and integrated approach to the sector.
2.7.7 Institutional capacity

Different problems and weaknesses have adversely affected some of the water
sector projects in the State of Meghalaya. There have been substantial time and
cost overruns on certain projects. Furthermore, maintenance of existing schemes
is insufficient.
2.7.8 Financial viability

It is desirable to align financing of service augmentation and operation and
maintenance of schemes with reforms like recovery of user charges,
maintenance of accounts at GP level, reduction of water wastage, protection of
drinking water sources etc. so that investments are linked to service outcomes,
i.e., they are performance based. Financing should not be a one‐time grant. Water
security planning requires annual investments in new schemes and works,
operation and maintenance, replacement and expansion as well as support
activities like water quality testing and IEC. States should establish clear
Policies for Operation and Maintenance including service standards and cost
recovery, and may like to ensure that their policy on cost recovery provides SC,
ST and BPL households with appropriate subsidies in user fees.
2.7.9 Data availability and Information system

Limited availability of quality data on water resources, hydrology and
climate, especially at the local level, are posing challenges to making
informed and economically, environmentally and socially appropriate
decisions and plans for resources utilisation, investments and management
arrangements in the water sector.

A well developed information system, for water related data in its entirety, at
the national/state level, is a prime requisite for resource planning. A
standardized information system should be established with a network of
data banks and data bases, integrating and strengthening the existing Central
and State level agencies and improving the quality of data and the processing
capabilities.

Standards for coding, classification, processing of data and
methods/procedures for its collection should be adopted. Advanced
information technology must be introduced to create a modern information
system promoting free exchange of data among various agencies. Special
efforts should be made to develop and continuously upgrade technological
capability to collect, process and disseminate reliable data in the desired time
frame.

Apart from the data regarding water availability and actual water use, the
system should also include comprehensive and reliable projections of future
demands of water for diverse purposes.

3. Policy targets 
3.1 Vision
The vision of the State Water Policy of Meghalaya is to make every subject of the
State water‐secured on a sustainable basis.
3.1.1 Principles

This Policy is based on the following principles:


 Right to basic water principle: Access to safe and adequate water to meet
basic human needs is a fundamental right of all people without
discrimination. The supply of drinking water must be given the highest
priority, over any other use.
 Sustainability principle: Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource,
essential to sustain life, development and the environment. As such, its
availability and quality must be ensured over time, and social and economic
development must be balanced with the protection of natural ecosystems.
Minimum ecological water needs must be given higher priority than other
uses, except drinking water.
 Precautionary principle: Measures must be taken to prevent the risk of
serious and irreversible damage of any activities that potentially may
negatively affect the integrity of water resources.
 Value of water principle: Water has an economic and social value in all its
competing uses and is recognized as an economic good. Meeting social water
needs is a priority. The price of water should approach its economic value, to
achieve full cost recovery over time and ensure services are financially viable.
 Fairness principle: All people must be treated equally in access to drinking
water. Water resources must be allocated and managed equitably.
 Solidarity principle: All citizens are obliged to contribute to the solution of
common water related problems. To ensure social cohesion, the recurrent
costs of public water service will be distributed so to ensure access to water
for poor and vulnerable people and the most disadvantaged areas. When
water uses are in conflict, the greatest common good to society will be given
priority.
 Responsibility principle: Water users and public authorities have the
shared responsibility of maintaining the integrity of water resources. Hence,
the "polluter pays" concept is to be adopted to curb uncontrolled discharge of
pollutants.
 Peaceful conflict resolution principle: Water related conflicts will be
resolved peacefully through appropriate mechanisms.
 Subsidiarity principle: The responsibility for decision‐making is to be
allocated to the lowest appropriate level.
 Inclusive and gender‐sensitive participation principle: All stakeholders
must be given the opportunity to participate in water management, involving
users, planners and policy‐makers at all levels. Special attention must be
given to ensure that women and vulnerable groups such as scheduled tribes
and castes are sufficiently empowered to participate actively.
 Basin management principle: The basic unit for water resource
management is the river basin or sub‐basin, using an integrated water
resource management approach, where different uses of water resources and
their effect of each other will be taken into account and balanced against the
water availability. Water resource planning will be coordinated with land use
planning.
 Interstate and international cooperation principle: Cooperation is
needed to ensure that both upstream and downstream users in basins shared
with Assam and Bangladesh benefit adequately from the water resources.
Interstate cooperation with Assam, inter‐basin water transfers to states

 outside Meghalaya and international cooperation with Bangladesh will take
place in accordance with the provisions of the Government of India.
3.1.2 Objectives

The overall objective of the Meghalaya Water Policy is to “ensure that water is
used efficiently, shared equitably, managed sustainably, governed transparently
and contributing to improving the health and livelihoods of all citizens”.

To attain this, the Water Policy aims at ensuring that appropriate systems and
measure are in place to balance the following specific objectives:

 Meeting the basic water and sanitation needs so that all inhabitants of the
State can live healthy lives,
 Effectively harnessing water resources for economic development and for
ensuring the livelihoods and incomes of all inhabitants of the State,
 Ensuring that water resources are protected, maintained, improved and
utilised sustainably, so that future generations can enjoy them,
 Ensuring that ecosystem integrity and land productivity is maintained and
minimum ecological water requirements are met,
 Enhancing the resilience to disasters and the impacts of climate change,
 Ensuring good governance, transparency, inclusion, equity and participation
in the water resource planning and management.

3.2 Strategic orientation

3.2.1 Water resource management

With continued rapidly growing water demands for a range of purposes, water
resources are increasingly becoming scarce and of deteriorating quality. Past
management practices sectoral perspective with insufficient coordination and
dialogue has resulted in non‐optimal and unsustainable use of water resources.
Therefore, an integrated water resource management approach shall be taken.
This implies that all water demands and uses are taken into account and all
stakeholders participate in the planning and management of the water resource.
Water resources development and management shall be planned for
hydrological units such as entire drainage basins or sub‐basins through a multi‐
sectoral approach, taking into account surface and ground water for sustainable
use incorporating quantity and quality aspects as well as environmental
considerations. The State Government will define State water zoning to govern
and regulate all economic activities taking water resource integrity into concern.
Principles

The main principles for water resource management are:
 Fresh water is an essential, but finite and vulnerable resource, so there is a
need to balance its multiple uses.
 The planning unit for water resource management is the river basin or sub‐
basin.

 Water resource management will integrate development with environmental
management to maintain the quantity, quality and integrity of water
resources.
 Water resources planning will be coordinated with land use planning.
 A participatory approach will be used.
 All economic development and activities shall be planned with due regard to
the constraints imposed by the water availability.
 All economic activities shall be guided and regulated in accordance with the
water zoning stipulated by the State Government.
 All individual development projects and proposals shall be formulated and
considered within the framework of basin and sub‐basin plans.
 Water allocation priorities are broadly defined as follows:
‐ Drinking water Ecology
‐ Irrigation
‐ Hydropower
‐ Agro‐industries and non‐agricultural industries
‐ Transport and other uses
However, the priorities may be modified or added if warranted by the
area/region on the basis of specific relevant considerations.
 Water transfer including inter‐basin transfers to water short areas will be
guided by a State perspective, after taking into account the requirements of
the areas/basins from where the water originates.
 Water sharing/distribution amongst the states will be guided by a National
perspective with due regard to water resources availability and need within
the river basin.
 International/transboundary water management will be handled by the
Central Government
Objectives

The key policy objectives are to:
 Ensure exploitation, utilisation and management of water resources is
equitable
 Achieve environmentally sustainable management of water resources and
protect ecosystems
 Ensure efficient and optimal utilisation of available water resources to the
maximum possible extent
 Ensure efficient integrated basin‐wide water management plans are
developed and implemented
 Safeguard Meghalaya’s interest in the water resources of shared river basins
Policy measures and actions

 To adopt water resources planning as a cross‐cutting basic component of
State economic planning;
 To elaborate a State Action Plan for Integrated water Resource Management,
defining options for its implementation and stakeholder participation.
 To elaborate a water zoning of the State.

 To carry out economic analyses of characteristics of each river basin district
and review the environmental impact of human activity .
 To elaborate for all major basins and sub‐basins in Meghalaya five‐year basin
management plans through a participatory process, where water resources
and future water demands are assessed and structural and non‐structural
measures are defined to balance resources and demands with due
recognition of ecological minimum requirements.
 To implement the established State Action Plan and basin management plans.
 To develop guidelines for inter‐basin water transfers.
 To promote the development of inter‐state water transfer guidelines,
including for water short states outside the Brahmaputra basin.
 To advocate for a review and amendment of the Inter‐State Water Disputes
Act of 1956 to ensure timely adjudication of water disputes referred to the
Tribunal.
Institutions

 The Department of Water Resources has the responsibility for leading and
coordinating the planning and implementation of State level actions,
involving the relevant State Departments, private sector and civil society
apex organisations and research institutions. It will also provide advisory and
guidance for the development of basin management plans, and conduct a
technical review of these before they are submitted for approval.
 The Planning Commission will support the development of the State Action
Plan and endorse it for submission to the State Assembly for approval. It will
also ensure alignment and integration of the State Action Plan with the Five
Year Plans and Vision 2030.The Planning Commission will approve basin
management plans.
 The Soil and Water Conservation Department will support the inclusion of
sustainable management practices and infrastructure in upper catchments in
basin plans .
 The Public Health Engineering Department will support the domestic water
supply and management and sanitation plans.
 The Forest and Environment Department will support the protection of
upper catchments in basin plans.
 The District Water Resources Councils will lead and coordinate the process of
elaborating basin management plans, involving relevant district level
stakeholders from district government, private sector, civil society, and
communities.
 Autonomous District Councils will endorse basin management plans, before
they are submitted to the Planning Commission for approval.
3.2.2 Rural water supply and sanitation

Access to safe and reliable water and sanitation services is essential for a healthy
life, and thus for social development and poverty alleviation. The ultimate goal is
therefore universal coverage of improved rural water and sanitation services.
Sanitation is a basic requirement for public health and to combat water borne
diseases. However, sanitation coverage lacks behind water supply coverage, so

an integrated approach to the provision of both is necessary, with particular
attention to the latter. Furthermore, good health requires good hygienic
standards and behaviour, so water and sanitation services must include hygiene
education and promotion in rural areas. Experience has shown that community
ownership of rural water and sanitation services is important for their
sustainability, and entails effective community participation in the planning,
implementation and management of the water and sanitation facilities.
Principles

The main principles for rural water supply and sanitation are:
 Access to safe and adequate water to meet basic human needs is a
fundamental right of all people without discrimination.
 Drinking water needs of human beings and animals shall be the first charge
on any available water.
 Irrigation and multipurpose projects shall invariably include a drinking
water and sanitation component, wherever there is no alternative source of
drinking water and sanitation services.
 Provision of rural water services includes the provision/integration of
improved sanitation and hygiene education.
 Rural sanitation includes on‐site and dry sanitation.
 Rural water and sanitation services must be inclusive, protect the specific
needs and roles of women, children and persons with disabilities, and
actively involve women in decision‐making.
 Rural water and sanitation interventions must be demand lead and
participatory, to ensure community ownership and sustainability.
 The selection of technology must be governed by its affordability and
suitability for local conditions, with health and environmental concerns
adequately addressed.
Objectives

The key policy objectives are to:
 Provide adequate safe, equitable and affordable drinking water and
sanitation to the entire population in rural areas, including the poor and
vulnerable groups.
 Maximise health benefits by integrating water supply, sanitation and hygiene
education.
 Reduce the occurrence of water‐borne diseases (malaria, cholera, diarrhoea).
 Ensure the long‐term sustainability of water and sanitation services.
 Ensure effective community ownership and management of small‐scale rural
water and sanitation facilities.
 Ensure active participation of women and vulnerable groups and empower
them to take charge of water and sanitation issues.
 Enhance coverage and resilience of water and sanitation services by
promoting combined utilisation of available water resources, such as ground
water, surface water and rainwater.
 Introduce that water should be paid for on a cost recovery basis

 Policy measures and actions

 To adopt demand led, community‐based and participatory methods in supply
scheme planning, technology choosing, implementation, management,
operation and maintenance, including capacity building of communities.
 To include sanitation services and hygiene education in existing rural water
supply schemes.
 To develop guidelines and regulations for integration of water supply,
sanitation and hygiene promotion in new schemes.
 To introduce a cost recovery tariff system based on transparent tariff setting
criteria
 To introduce options for professional management for rural water supply
and sanitation (community based)
 To develop a methodology and implement appropriate measures to
rehabilitate water supply schemes in iron affected and coal mining areas to
ensure safe drinking water to affected communities.
 To develop and implement guidelines on gender‐sensitive and inclusive
planning, implementation and management of water and sanitation services,
including empowerment of, and capacity building, for women
 To expand water and sanitation service coverage in schools.
 To implement demonstration and test supply schemes with rainwater
harvesting, including rainwater harvesting at the household level.
 Enhance coordination between institutions responsible for water supply and
sanitation services and health services.
 To gradually transfer the responsibility of service delivery from government
to the private sector and communities.
Institutions
 The Community and Rural Development Department will lead the
development of guidelines and approaches to community participation and
inclusion. The Department will also lead the promotion of integration of
water, sanitation, as well as the coordination with health services.
 The Public Health Engineering Department will lead the development and
testing of technical guidelines and technologies. The Department will also
lead hygiene education. Furthermore, the Department will lead the expansion
of services coverage in schools.
 The Autonomous District Council will be responsible for rolling out and
implementation of the guidelines and approaches of the Policy at the local
level, and ensure the mobilisation of all local stakeholders, including district
government, communities, private sector, and civil society.
 District government will regulate local level activities and coordinate scheme
planning and construction.
 Communities will participate in scheme planning and assume responsibility
for operation and maintenance of small schemes.
 The Private sector will be responsible for the provision of supplies and the
operation and maintenance of medium scale schemes.
3.2.3 Urban water supply, waste water and sanitation

Urbanisation and overall population growth means that the population in urban
centres is rapidly increasing, posing challenges to meet the demands for
domestic and sanitation and ensuring full coverage. Among the urban poor in
slums, water can be a critical resource in short supply and sanitation services
insufficient or absent. Additionally, the urban centres are the focus of industrial
and commercial activities, many of which rely on water supplies for efficient
production. Urban water services include the provision of safe and clean
drinking water, sewerage collection, and transport and treatment of household
and industrial effluent. The participation of consumers in water management is
important, particularly in peri‐urban areas with stand post supply, to ensure
their sustainable operation.
Principles

The main principles for urban water supply and sanitation are:
 Access to safe and adequate water to meet basic human needs is a
fundamental right of all people without discrimination.
 Drinking water needs of human beings and animals shall be the first charge
on any available water.
 Provision of urban water services includes the provision of safe and clean
drinking water, sewerage collection, transport and treatment of household
and industrial effluent, and hygiene education/promotion.
 Urban water and sanitation services must be pro‐poor, inclusive, protect the
specific needs and roles of women, children and persons with disabilities,
and actively involve women in decision‐making.
 Urban water and sanitation interventions must be participatory, especially in
relation to stand post supply.
 Urban water and sanitation schemes shall be designed to accommodate all
users, including domestic consumers, public services, commerce, industries
and tourism.
 The selection of technology must be governed by its affordability and
suitability for local conditions, with health and environmental concerns
adequately addressed.
 Participation of private sector in construction, operation, maintenance, and
financing of water and sanitation services.
 The expansion of the water and sanitation services shall be consistent with
approved urban development plans.
 Regulation and infrastructure planning will be separated from construction,
service provision, operation and maintenance of urban water supply systems.
 Effluents will be treated and recycled.
Objectives

The key policy objectives are to:
 Provide adequate safe, equitable and affordable drinking water and
sanitation to the entire population in urban and peri‐urban areas, including
the poor and vulnerable groups.
 Reduce the occurrence of water‐borne diseases (malaria, cholera, diarrhoea).
 Ensure the long‐term sustainability of water and sanitation services.

 Ensure effective user ownership and management of small‐scale urban water
and sanitation facilities.
 Ensure active participation of women and vulnerable groups and empower
them to take charge of water and sanitation issues.
 Ensure efficient water use and minimise water wastage and losses.
 Enhance coverage and resilience of water and sanitation services by
promoting combined utilisation of available water resources, such as ground
water, surface water and rainwater.
 Minimize the pollution of water sources from sanitation services.
Policy measures and actions

 To establish water user associations for small‐scale and standpipe services
 To develop and implement guidelines on gender‐sensitive and inclusive
planning, implementation and management of water and sanitation services,
including empowerment of, and capacity building for, women.
 To continue expanding the coverage of water supply and sanitation services.
 To include sanitation services and hygiene promotion in existing urban water
supply schemes.
 To develop guidelines and regulations for integration of water supply,
sanitation and hygiene promotion in new schemes.
 To expand water and sanitation service coverage in schools.
 To implement demonstration and test supply schemes with rainwater
harvesting, including rainwater harvesting at the household level.
 Enhance coordination between institutions responsible for water supply and
sanitation services and health services.
 To gradually transfer the responsibility of service delivery from government
to the private sector and water user associations.
 To rehabilitate and upgrade damaged, inefficient or insufficient
infrastructure
 To identify and repair water and wastewater leakages.
 To improve wastewater treatment, and whenever possible and safe ensure
recycling.
 To introduce a cost recovery tariff system based on transparent tariff setting
criteria
 To introduce options for professional management for urban water supply,
sewage treatment and sanitation
Institutions

 The Urban Affairs Department will lead the promotion of integration of
water, sanitation and hygiene education, as well as the coordination with
health services. The Department will also lead the testing of technologies. The
Department of Urban Affairs will lead the development of guidelines on
gender‐sensitivity and inclusiveness.
 Municipal Boards will be responsible for providing water and sanitation
services, including construction, rehabilitation, upgrading, operation and
maintenance. The Boards will also be responsible for contracting and

 regulating private service providers, to whom they can outsource service
provision.
 The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board will monitor water quality and
regulate wastewater discharges by industries and other entities.
 The private sector will be contracted by municipalities to provide water and
sanitation services, including construction, rehabilitation, upgrading,
operation and maintenance.
 Water users will be involved in planning processes and in the operation and
maintenance of small‐scale and stand pipe supplies.
3.2.4 Agriculture and irrigation

The majority of the population in Meghalaya depends on agriculture for their
livelihoods and agriculture is the largest consumer of fresh water in the State. In
the agricultural sector, the most significant use of water by volume is irrigation,
but water is also used in rain fed agriculture and for livestock. Hence, the use of
water in agriculture is a major determinant of food security, socio‐economic
development, and environmental sustainability in Meghalaya.

Population growth and economic development are also putting increased
demands on agricultural production while land degradation is putting pressure
on the productivity and availability of agricultural land. Nonetheless, Increasing
the area under irrigation can boost production, and there is also there is
potential to increase irrigation efficiency and produce “more crop per drop”,
improve water management in rain fed agriculture, and to introduce
supplementary irrigation and micro‐irrigation.
Principles

The main principles for agricultural water management are:
 Agricultural water needs will have priority over other economic uses of
water, after household and minimum ecological water needs have been met.
 Irrigation services must be inclusive, protect the specific needs and roles of
women and vulnerable groups, and actively involve them in decision‐making.
 Water allocation in irrigation systems shall be equitable and socially just and
distributed on a rotational and volumetric basis.
 Irrigation interventions must be demand lead and participatory, to ensure
community ownership and sustainability.
 Irrigation interventions must be financially viable and suitable for local
conditions, with health and environmental concerns adequately addressed.
 Agricultural water and especially irrigation water must be used prudently to
maximise the yields per volume of water and avoid wastage.
 The irrigation intensity shall be maximised such as to extend the benefits of
irrigation to as large a number of farm families as possible and to maximise
production within the environmentally sustainable limits.
 Agricultural water management includes measures to sustain the
environment; soil and water must be managed so as to minimise surface
runoff and erosion, agrochemicals and fertilisers must be applied carefully to

 avoid pollution of groundwater and water bodies, and irrigated fields must
be managed as to avoid salinisation and water logging.
 All irrigation planning shall take into account the irrigability of land, available
cost‐effective irrigation options from all available sources of water and
appropriate technology for optimizing water use efficiency
 Planning of new irrigation schemes and the rehabilitation of old schemes
shall take into due consideration all relevant environmental aspects related
to scheme construction, operation and management as well as irrigated
cropping. Appropriate measures must be taken to minimize or mitigate
potential negative impacts that may occur during the construction, operation,
and management of the schemes
 Rainwater harvesting as well as scientific water management, farm practices
and sprinkler and drip irrigation shall be adopted wherever feasible.
Objectives

The key policy objectives are to:
 Ensure effective community ownership and management of small‐scale
irrigation facilities
 Ensure active participation of women and vulnerable groups and empower
them to take charge of agricultural water and irrigation issues
 Maximise the productivity per unit of water.
 Expand the area served by large and medium scale irrigation schemes.
 Expand the area served by small‐scale irrigation schemes.
 Adopt the command area development approach in all irrigation schemes.
 Expand the use of supplementary and micro‐irrigation.
 Adopt soil‐moisture conservation practices and erosion control in rainfed
farming systems.
 Ensure water use efficiency in the systems.
Policy measures and actions

 To identify sub‐basins suitable for small‐scale irrigation.
 To adopt demand led, community‐based and participatory methods in
irrigation scheme planning, technology choosing, implementation,
management, operation and maintenance, including capacity building of
communities.
 To develop and implement guidelines on gender‐sensitive and inclusive
planning, implementation and management of irrigation schemes, including
empowerment of, and capacity building for, women.
 To promote supplementary and micro‐irrigation, such as small check‐dams,
rainwater harvesting, jalkunds, surface water pumping systems, shallow tube
wells, dug wells and use of drip irrigation.
 To test and promote appropriate soil‐moisture conservation practices and
erosion control in rain fed farming systems.
 To build the capacity of water users associations and farmers to select water‐
efficient crop varieties, and manage and apply water efficiently.
 To build the capacity of farmers to use farm inputs efficiently to reduce
seepage into the ground water.

 To plan and construct micro‐irrigation schemes.
 To rehabilitate irrigation schemes and identify and reduce water
transmission losses.
 To enhance coordination between Institutions responsible for Irrigation,
Water Supply and Sanitation Services.
 To develop and implement guidelines and regulations for taking
environmental issues into consideration and mitigating environmental
impacts during the entire life cycle of irrigation schemes.
 To gradually transfer the responsibility of the irrigation schemes from
Government to private sector and communities.
 Promote participation of the private sector in the operation and management
of large and medium scale irrigation infrastructure taking into consideration
effects on economy, social inclusion, and environment.
Institutions

 The Department of Water Resources will lead the process of identifying
basins suitable for small‐scale irrigation and for developing irrigation related
guidelines including guidelines on environmental aspects. Furthermore, the
Department will lead the coordination in relation to agricultural water
management and irrigation, as well as the coordination between institutions
responsible for irrigation and water supply and sanitation services.
 The Department of Agriculture will lead the promotion of supplementary and
micro‐irrigation. Furthermore, the Department will support districts in
building the capacity of communities in managing small‐scale irrigation
schemes, and provide extension service in relation to crop selection, input
application, and on‐farm water management in both irrigated and rain fed
agriculture.
 The Soil and Water Conservation Department will lead the promotion of soil‐
moisture conservation practices and erosion control.
 Districts will be responsible for supporting and empowering the
communities to plan and manage irrigation schemes, and for ensuring the
inclusion and capacity building of women and vulnerable groups.
 Private companies will increasingly play a role in irrigation scheme
construction and maintenance, and may assume responsibility for the
management of large and medium scale irrigation schemes.
 Traditional bodies and water user associations will participate actively in the
planning of irrigation schemes and be responsible for managing small‐scale
schemes.
 Communities will also implement soil‐moisture conservation and improved
agricultural practices on the ground.
3.2.5 Other uses of water
3.2.5.1 Fisheries

Fish is an important source of protein, which contributes to food security and
improving health. Current fish supplies in Meghalaya are insufficient to meet the
growing demand. With the significant water resources available in the State,

there is a potential to increase fish supplies. Fish supplies in the State are derived
from two sources; wild fish stocks in natural water bodies, such as rivers and
swamps; and fish reared in aquaculture fishponds. In relation to natural fish
stocks, the role of the water sector is to ensure that sufficient water quantity and
quality is maintained in natural water bodies to maintain healthy habitats to
sustain fish stocks. Aquaculture is related to agriculture, and fishponds are often
situated in conjunction with irrigation schemes, so the role of the water sector is
support the development and management of the water supply and to prevent
water pollution from fishponds.
Principles

The main principles for fisheries are:
 Fisheries and Aquaculture Development shall be demand driven,
participatory, inclusive, equitable, pro‐poor and gender sensitive
 Water requirements for fisheries, in terms of river flows and water quality,
shall be adequately considered in river basin plans and their implementation,
and in all interventions extracting surface water
 Wastewater discharges to rivers shall be kept at a level that does not
threaten fish stocks or the health of people consuming fish
 Aquaculture can be integrated with agriculture to enhance the nutritional
status and incomes of rural communities, but competition with irrigated
crops for water must be addressed properly to avoid negative impacts on
farmers
Objectives

The key policy objectives are to:
 Ensure availability of water in sufficient quantity and quality for sustainable
fisheries, which contribute to food security, nutrition and incomes.
 Improve rural food security, health and incomes by increasing aqua cultural
production.
 Balance aquaculture and irrigation water needs.
 Curb water pollution from fish ponds.
Policy measures and actions

 To develop and implement regulations and guidelines on identifying suitable
locations for aquaculture development based on social and environmental
concerns.
 To develop and implement guidelines on participatory, equitable and gender‐
sensitive fisheries and aquaculture development, which consider its
relationship with agriculture.
 To coordinate and collaborate with institutions responsible for biodiversity
conservation to establish water requirements of aquatic ecosystems and fish
stocks, and sustainable fishing quota.
 To construct and maintain fishponds, and water supply and effluent
treatment infrastructure, in collaboration with the private sector.
 To rehabilitate degraded and polluted water bodies and wetlands.

Institutions

 The Department of Fisheries will be the focal point for development of
regulations and guidelines on suitable locations for aquaculture development
and rehabilitation of degraded water bodies, and will be, in coordination with
the institutions, responsible for biodiversity conservation.
 The Department of Agriculture will collaborate with the Department of
Fisheries to ensure that aquaculture development properly integrates
agricultural concerns.
 The Soil and Water Conservation Department will promote upper catchment
and riverbank protection interventions and practices to prevent siltation of
water bodies.
 The Department of Environment and Forestry will enforce upper catchment
protection regulations.
 The Community and Rural Development Department will support the
involvement of communities in fisheries and aquaculture planning and
management.
 The Directorate of Tourism will support the development and marketing of
fisheries for recreational purposes.
 The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board will address issues related to
pollution of water bodies, including effluents from aquaculture.
 Districts and District Water Resources Councils will be responsible for
supporting and empowering the communities to plan and manage fisheries
and aquaculture, and for ensuring the inclusion and capacity building of
women and vulnerable groups. They will also balance the water needs of the
fisheries sector with those of other stakeholders.
 Private companies will increasingly play a role in aquaculture scheme
construction and maintenance, and be operators for sports fishing.
 Communities, traditional bodies and water user associations will participate
actively in the planning and management of fisheries and aquaculture.
Community members will directly derive their incomes form fisheries and
aquaculture.
3.2.5.2 Hydropower

Meghalaya has significant untapped hydropower potential and the State
Government is planning to expand the hydropower production capacity of the
State considerably. Hydropower is a renewable and carbon neutral energy
source, which will reduce the costs of energy imports and potentially generate
revenue form energy export. Where dry‐season water flows are sufficient,
community‐based micro‐ and pico‐hydropower can be a source of electricity for
off‐grid communities. However, hydropower dams (especially large scale dams)
can significantly alter the hydrology and flow regimes upstream and
downstream, and local populations can be displaced from their houses and land
by inundation. The development of other sources of renewable energy, such as
geothermal power or solar energy can reduce the pressure on water sources and
ensure reliable energy supplies even when water levels are low.

Principles

The main principles for hydropower are:
 The development of hydropower schemes shall be conditioned by its
technical, economic, social and environmental sustainability, on a full cost
recovery base. Rigid environmental and social impact assessments must be
carried out and sufficient mitigation measures implemented to minimize
negative impacts on the integrity of water resources, the environment and
socio‐economy of affected communities.
 Communities and families affected by hydropower development must be
duly compensated and have their livelihoods restored.
 Inclusion of hydropower stations shall be considered for all new large and
medium dams planned for other purposes.
 Hydropower shall not be developed in isolation, a broad range of renewable
energy sources shall developed to ensure a balanced energy supply.
Objectives

The key policy objectives are to:
 To ensure availability of water for hydropower generation.
 To increase rural energy access.
 To ensure that hydropower development is equitable and pro‐poor.
 To ensure hydropower development is sufficiently balanced with other
water needs.
 To ensure the negative impact of hydropower development on the integrity
of water resources and the health of aquatic ecosystems is minimized and
mitigated.
Policy measures and actions

 To ensure that hydropower plans and basin management plans are aligned
and integrated.
 To ensure coordination between institutions responsible for energy
development and for water management.
 To promote the inclusion of hydropower in dams constructed for other
purposes and vice versa.
 To promote micro and pico‐hydropower; mobilise and build the capacity of
local government and communities to plan and manage these.
 To ensure community participation in hydropower planning processes.
 To contribute to the environmental impact assessment of planned
hydropower schemes and mitigation interventions.
Institutions

 The Planning Department will ensure coordination between energy and
water institutions, and ensure alignment of polices and plans at the State
level and for large and medium scale hydropower schemes.
 The Power Department will construct and maintain hydropower schemes.
The Department will also in coordination with the Department of Water

 Resources and the Community and Rural development Department to
develop a framework for the promotion of micro and pico‐hydropower. It
will also ensure the involvement of communities in hydropower plans and
the implementation of environmental and social impact assessments.
 The Department of Water Resources will promote the inclusion of
hydropower in irrigation dams and vice versa, and facilitate the coordination
of hydropower plans and basin management plans. It will also have a clear
role in ensuring that water resource issues are adequately addressed in
environmental impact assessments and ensuring that water demands of
hydropower are balanced with the needs of other stakeholders.
 The Soil and Water Conservation Department will promote upper catchment
and riverbank protection interventions and practices to prevent siltation of
dams.
 The Department of Environment and Forestry will enforce upper catchment
protection regulations.
 The Community and Rural Development Department will support the
promotion of micro and pico‐hydropower.
 Districts and District Water Resources Councils will be responsible for
supporting and empowering the communities to engage in hydropower
planning processes. They will also promote the balancing of water needs of
the hydropower sector with those of other stakeholders.
 Private companies will increasingly play a role in hydropower scheme
construction and maintenance.
 Communities, traditional bodies and water user associations will participate
actively in the planning and manage micro and pico‐hydropower.
3.2.5.3 Industry and mining

Industry and mining make an important contribution to the economy of
Meghalaya and provide employment, and there is ample scope in the State for
increased industrial and mining activities. However, both sectors require water
for production and release effluents, which can be polluted. It is thus necessary
for the State to balance industrial and mining water needs with other needs,
especially for drinking water and agriculture, and to ensure that polluted
effluents do not threaten public health and harm the environment. Are particular
challenge is to regulate the water use and pollution from coal wash and from
informal/artisanal mining and small‐scale industries.

Principles 

The main principles for water management in relation to mining and industries
are:
 Competing and conflicting water needs between mines, industries and
adjacent communities must be balanced, with priority given to the health and
livelihoods of communities.
 Communities and families affected by mines and industrial development
must be duly compensated and have their livelihoods restored.
 Measures must be taken to prevent the risk of serious and irreversible
damage of any activities that potentially may negatively affect the integrity of

 water resources.
 Prior to the establishment of new mines and medium and large industries,
rigid environmental and social impact assessments must be carried out, and
sufficient mitigation measures implemented to minimize negative impacts on
the integrity of water resources, the environment and socio‐economy of
affected communities
 The "polluter pays" concept shall be adopted to curb uncontrolled discharge
of pollutants.
 Water supply shall be provided to support industrial development on a full
cost recovery basis.
 Effluent discharges shall be sufficiently treated to ensure an acceptable water
quality in the receiving water bodies.

Objectives 

The key policy objectives are to:
 Ensure water is available for industries and mining operations.
 Ensure adequate protection of ground and surface water in mining and
industrial areas.
 Ensure that the water supply, health and livelihoods of surrounding and
affected communities are duly protected from harmful impacts of industrial
and mining activity.
 Ensure that mines and industries comply with minimum environmental
requirements for effluents and that surface and groundwater pollution is
avoided.
 Ensure that informal/artisanal mining and small scale industries comply with
minimum environmental requirements for effluents and/or do not pollute
ground and surface water.
 Increase water use efficiency, treatment and recycling.

Policy measures and actions 

 To improve existing strategies and support innovation of new and scientific
technology to eliminate the pollution of surface and ground water resources,
in particular from coal wash.
 To delineate and develop industrial zones to improve water supply and
improve industrial wastewater control.
 To promote wastewater treatment and recycling.
 To require industries and mining operations, to develop and implement
environmental management systems which take into account and mitigate
the impact of on water resources.
 To promote the development of codes of practice for efficient water use and
cleaner production technologies.
 To strengthen the capacity and create awareness of local government and
communities about the impact of mines and industries on their water
resources and legal and other means to uphold their rights.
 To create awareness among artisanal miners and small industries on the
impacts of water use and water pollution, legal requirements, and means to
curb pollution and improve water use efficiency.

 Institutions 

 The Planning Department will ensure coordination between industry, mining
and water institutions, and alignment of polices and plans at the State levels.
 The Department of Water Resources will issue permit for industrial and
mining usage. It will also have a clear role in ensuring that water resource
issues are adequately addressed in environmental impact assessments and
ensuring that industrial and mining water demands are balanced with the
needs of other stakeholders.
 The Department of Urban Affairs will be involved in the delineation of
industrial zones.
 The Department of Mining and Geology will ensure that mining operations
adhere to water regulations and measure water quality in relation to mines.
The department will also lead the regulation and capacity building of
artisanal miners.
 The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board will prevent and control water
pollution from industries, monitoring water quality, and collect water
consumption cess from industries.
 Districts and District Water Resources Councils will be responsible for
supporting and empowering the communities to engage in mining and
industrial planning processes. They will also promote the balancing mining
and industrial water needs with those of other stakeholders.
 Private companies are carrying out industrial and mining enterprises.
 Communities can be affected by mining and industries and can engage in
dialogue with these and file complaints when they are negatively impacted.
They are also engaged in artisanal mining.
 Municipalities will provide water supply and sewerage services to industries.
They will also lead industrial zoning and issue permits.
 Civil society will have a watchdog function to protect public and community
interests.
3.2.5.4 Tourism and recreation

There is potential for further developing the tourism and enhance its
contribution to the Meghalaya’s economy. One of the main tourist attractions of
the state is it natural environment, including its water resources, such as
waterfalls, rivers, lush vegetation and biodiversity. Hence, the tourism potential
is closely linked to the protection of Meghalaya’s natural environment. The
recreational value of water for the State’s own citizens is similar to the value for
tourism. However, while tourism can be a means to generate revenue and
incomes from the natural environment, it can also put pressure on the
environment, including the water resources, if not managed carefully.
Furthermore, tourists need infrastructure and also water.
Principles

The main principles for tourism and recreation in relation to water management
are:

 Water shall be made available to support tourism and recreation, both for
consumptive (drinking water and sanitation) and non‐consumptive uses such
as ecotourism and water sports.
 Water supply and sanitation infrastructure to support tourism developments
shall be provided on a full cost recovery basis.
 Natural water bodies and waterfalls of significant tourist and recreational
value shall be protected and maintained in a healthy state that ensures their
continued value for these purposes.
 Potential negative impacts of tourism on water resources must be minimised
and mitigated.
 Local communities shall enjoy a fair share of the benefits provided by
tourism and recreation in their area. Negative impacts shall be minimised or
compensated for.
Objectives

The key policy objectives are to:
 Ensure the availability and protect the quality of consumptive and non‐
consumptive water resources for tourism and recreation.
 Ensure that tourism and recreation does not reduce or threaten the integrity
of water resources.
 Promote and support eco‐friendly tourism and recreation.
 Protect the water access of communities or duly compensate for losses.
Policy measures and actions
 To monitor and regulate water consumption efficiency and effluent discharge
from hotels and tour operators.
 To promote the development of environment friendly infrastructure
improving tourist access to tourist attractions such as waterfalls, rivers and
wetlands.
 To integrate and address tourism and recreational water needs into basin
development plans.
 To promote community participation in the planning and operation of water
related tourism.
Institutions

 The Planning Department will lead the coordination between the water and
tourist sector institutions and alignment of relevant policies and plans.
 The Department of Water Resources will facilitate the coordination of
tourism promotion plans and basin management plans. It will also have a
clear role in ensuring that water resource issues are adequately addressed in
environmental impact assessments and ensuring that water demands of
tourism are balanced with the needs of other stakeholders.
 The Directorate of Tourism is responsible for the promotion of tourism,
including the upgrading of tourism infrastructure, and for facilitating such
developments are in line with water regulations and policies.
 The Department of Environment and Forestry will be responsible for
providing access and regulating tourist and recreational visits to protected

 areas; it will also provide infrastructure for such visits, such as roads,
campsites, and sanitary facilities. The Department will enforce upper
catchment protection regulations.
 The Department of Fisheries will promote and regulate sports fishing.
 The Soil and Water Conservation Department will promote upper catchment
and riverbank protection interventions and practices to prevent siltation of
water bodies and disruptions to water flows, e.g. for waterfalls
 The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board will prevent and control water
pollution from hotels and tour operators, monitoring water quality, and
collect water consumption cess from industries.
 The Community and Rural Development Department will support the
promotion of community‐based tourism.
 Districts and District Water Resources Councils will be responsible for
supporting and empowering the communities to engage in tourism industrial
planning processes. They will also promote the balancing water needs of
tourism with those of other stakeholders.
 Private companies are responsible for hotels and as tour operators.
 Communities can be involved in tourism, such as cultural tourism, eco‐
tourism and selling of handicrafts
3.2.6 Governance

Good governance is a prerequisite for a well‐functioning water sector in
Meghalaya, and for fulfilling the obligations of ensuring universal access to basic
water and sanitation and contributing to the economic development of the state,
while protecting the water resources and environment for future generations.
Considering the growing demand on water resources by different stakeholders
and for multiple purposes, and integrated and holistic approach to the planning,
management and utilisation of water resources is necessary. This also entails
active participation of on‐state actors, including the private sector and
communities, in the planning and management of water resources. The current
fragmented institutional setup in the water sector in Meghalaya does not
sufficiently allow for this, and an institutional reform that enables an integrated,
coordinated and inclusive approach to water resource management is urgently
needed.
Principles

 Water resource management shall be participatory and inclusive; by
involving not only the various governmental agencies but also the users and
other stakeholders, in an effective and decisive manner, including the various
aspects of planning, designing, developing and managing the water schemes.
 Special attention shall be given to empowering women and vulnerable
groups to articulate their needs and engage actively and independently in
water resource management at all levels.
 Decision‐making, including planning, management, implementation and
operation shall be decentralised to the lowest level possible/appropriate.

 People negatively affected or displaced by the implementation of water
infrastructure development shall have their livelihoods fully rehabilitated or
be duly compensated for the losses experienced.
 The regulatory and enforcement functions shall be fully separated from
implementation, construction, operation and maintenance functions.
Government institutions responsible for regulation, conservation and
protection shall not be involved in implementation, construction, operation
and maintenance.
 The role of Government shall gradually shift from direct service provision to
a regulatory, enforcement and planning role.
 Institutions responsible for management, operation and maintenance of
water services shall be autonomous and operated on commercial principles.
 Water consumer rights vis‐à‐vis service providers shall be clear and
protected.
 Service delivery, including construction, operation and maintenance shall
gradually be transferred from the Government to the private sector and
communities.
 Government shall ensure all people have access to impartial arbitration,
mediation and judiciary mechanisms to solve water related complaints,
conflicts and disputes. Participatory and consensus‐based mechanisms shall
be available.
 There will be zero tolerance for corruption and it is the responsibility of all
individuals to duly report any case of corruption to the responsible
authorities.
 Only justified expenditures may be incurred. All expenditures must be fully
reflected in accounts with supporting documentation.
 Government institutions will be fully accountable to the public.
 Government processes in relation to policy formulation, planning,
implementation, regulation and any other function shall be fully transparent,
and reported to the public.
 All decisions must be taken in the interest of the public and the greatest
common good.
Objectives

 Ensure good sector governance, which provides an enabling environment for
equitable, just and sustainable water management and meeting the multiple
objectives of the Water Policy.
 Ensure the institutional setup of the water sector is conducive for an
integrated and holistic approach to the management and utilisation of water
resources.
 Ensure that all stakeholders, including women and vulnerable groups,
assume full ownership and are effectively involved in water planning and
management, and their interests and priorities are duly considered.
 Ensure that Government gradually assumes a regulatory, enforcement and
planning role, and construction, operation and maintenance is transferred to
users and the private sector.

 Gradually decentralise the full responsibility for planning, management,
operation and maintenance of water infrastructure to district councils,
municipalities, user groups and private sector.
 Ensure that complaints and conflicts are addressed in a fair, transparent and
consensus based manner, with due protection of the rights and concerns of
vulnerable and marginalised groups.
 Ensure that water consumer rights are protected.
 Ensure that institutions and decisions are taken in the interest of the greater
public good.
 Ensure all water related regulations and laws are adhered to by all
institutions and stakeholders in the water sector.
 Ensure full transparency and accountability for all decisions and actions in
the water sector.
Policy measures and actions

 To reform/re‐structure the institutional setup for the water sector, where the
Department of Water Resources assume the overall responsibility for the
entire water sector, with the following sub‐departments: 1) Water Resource
Management, 2) Urban Drinking Water, 3) Rural Drinking Water, 4)
Irrigation, and 4) Other Uses of Water.
 To enhance the capacity of communities, private sector (including medium
and small‐scale enterprises), water user associations and local bodies, such
as district councils, municipalities and headmen/nokmas/dollois to
progressively engage in the operation, maintenance and management of
water infrastructures/facilities at appropriate levels, with a view to gradually
assuming full management responsibility for such facilities .
 To formulate and implement a detailed State resettlement and rehabilitation
policy for ensuring proper rehabilitation or compensation for people
displaced or negatively affected by water infrastructure projects.
 To prepare and publish annual reports on the operations and expenditures of
all water institutions.
 To carry out annual external and independent audits of all institutions.
 To formulate and enact regulations on water consumer rights and protection
with due consideration of the interests of women and vulnerable groups.
 To ensure that all plans and investment projects are subjected to public
hearings.
 To make all stakeholders and water users aware of their rights and
obligations and available arbitration mechanisms.
 To strengthen the capacity of the State Government to monitor/control and
enforce compliance with act and regulations, and take legal action in case of
non‐compliance.
 To engage in public‐private partnerships for gradual transfer of service
provision responsibilities.
Institutions

 All institutions will adhere to the principles of good governance, including
those specified in the Water Policy and current legislation governing the
sector, including the Meghalaya Water Act.
 All institutions with a responsibility to regulate and enforce acts and
regulations will do so in line with good governance principles, including
those specified in the Water Policy.
 All Departments and institutions will engage actively in building the capacity
of communities, users, private sector and local Government vis‐à‐vis their
areas of responsibility.
 The Department of Water Resources will lead the formulation of the
resettlement and rehabilitation policy and regulations on water consumer
rights.
 The Department of Urban Affairs and the Community and Rural Development
Department will lead awareness creation on rights and obligations of
stakeholders and water users. They will also support the establishment of
participatory arbitration mechanisms.
 Civil society will act as watchdogs holding Government and the private sector
accountable for their decisions and actions.

3.2.7 Planning, implementation and construction

Water infrastructure and projects affect the lives of people in adjacent
communities in a number of ways. In addition to the intended benefits of water
supply for domestic purpose, irrigation, and power generation; water
infrastructure projects, especially large and medium‐scale dams can have a
number of unintended effects or negative impacts, such as displacement of
people from lands being inundated, changes in aquatic ecosystems and effects on
biodiversity, and reduced water availability downstream. Hence, the planning
and implementation of water resources projects and construction of
infrastructure involve considering a number of socio‐economic aspects and
issues, such as: appropriate resettlement and rehabilitation of, and/or
compensation for, affected people and livestock; environmental sustainability;
public health concerns of water impoundment; and dam safety.
Principles

 Beneficiaries, people affected, and other stakeholders shall be involved from
the early planning stage and throughout the construction stage and their
considerations and priorities shall be duly considered.
 There shall be an integrated and multi‐disciplinary approach to the planning,
formulation, clearance and implementation of projects and investments,
taking basin management plans into consideration. Catchment area
treatment and management, environmental and ecological concern,
rehabilitation of – and compensation for – affected people and command area
development shall be included in the planning and implementation.
 The feasibility analysis and economic evaluation of projects shall take into
consideration the costs of social and environmental impacts and mitigation of
these.

 Water resource development projects and infrastructure shall as far as
possible be planned and developed as multipurpose projects. Provision for
drinking water shall be a primary consideration.
 Integrated and coordinated development of surface water and ground water
resources and their conjunctive use shall be envisaged right from the
planning stage of projects and infrastructure investments and shall form and
integral part of implementation and construction.
 Rigid environmental and social impact assessments of the likely impact of
projects and infrastructure during construction and use on human lives,
settlements, employment, socio‐economic aspects, environment and other
aspects shall form an essential component of project planning.
 The preservation of the quality of environment and the ecological balance
shall be a primary objective in the planning, implementation and operation of
all water projects and investments. Any adverse impact on the environment,
if any shall be minimized and shall be offset by adequate compensatory
measures.
 The planning of projects in hilly areas shall take into account the need to
provide assured drinking water, possibilities of hydropower development
and the proper approach to irrigation in such areas, in the context of physical
features and constraints of the basin such as steep slopes, rapid run‐off and
the incidence of soil erosion.
 Special efforts shall be made to investigation and formulate projects either in,
or for the benefit or, areas inhabited by tribal or other specially
disadvantaged groups such as socially weak, scheduled castes and scheduled
tribes. Projects in other areas shall also pay special attention to the needs of
disadvantaged groups.
 The drainage system shall form an integral part of any irrigation project from
the planning stage.
 Private sector shall increasingly be involved in the planning and construction
of water infrastructure.
Objectives

 Ensure that investments in water projects and infrastructure meet the needs
and priorities of the intended beneficiaries.
 Optimise the benefits of investments in water projects and infrastructure.
 Ensure that water projects and investments are environmentally sustainable.
 Ensure that water projects and investments benefit poor and vulnerable
groups.
 Ensure that negative impacts of water projected are investments are duly
mitigated or fully compensated for.
 Enhance the role and capacity of the private sector in the planning and
construction of infrastructure.
Policy measures and actions

 To develop guidelines and regulations for stakeholder participation and the
inclusion of socio‐economic and environmental aspects in project planning
and implementation.

 To develop guidelines and modalities for enhancing private sector
involvement in planning and construction.
 To, whenever feasible, outsource operation and management to private
operators through competitive and transparent processes.
 To build the capacity of the institutions responsible for project planning and
implementation and infrastructure construction to adequately address non‐
technical, social and environmental aspects.
Institutions

 The Department of Water Resources will lead the development of guidelines
and regulations.
 The Community and Rural Development Department will provide inputs to
the guidelines and regulations on stakeholder participation and the social
dimension.
 The departments with responsibilities related to environment, will provide
inputs to the guidelines on the environmental dimension.
 All Government, private and NGO institutions involved in project planning
and implementation and infrastructure construction will be responsible for
the inclusion of social, environmental and non‐technical aspects.
3.2.8 Operation & maintenance

Significant attention has been given to expanding the coverage of water services,
both in terms of water and sanitation and irrigation, and significant results have
been achieved in Meghalaya.

However, less emphasis has been given to maintaining existing water resources
facilities and improving their performance. To ensure the long‐term viability and
sustainability of water schemes, and to avoid the risk of currently served
communities sliding back into an un‐served status, increased attention will be
paid to improving the operation and maintenance of existing schemes.

Sound and professional operation, tariff setting, maintenance and quality control
practices will also enhance water use efficiency and improve water availability,
e.g. by stopping leakages and water losses. Given the capacity of the State
Government and the magnitude of operation and maintenance requirements, a
key factor is to enhance the role and capacity of the private sector and
communities/water users themselves to assume responsibility for scheme
management, operation and maintenance. In the case of user involvement, this
will also enhance ownership and enhance the understanding of the needs to
protect water infrastructure and to pay tariffs and fees. Private sector
participation may help in introducing innovative ideas, introducing corporate
management, and improving service efficiency and accountability to users.
Principles

 Water efficiency and reduction of water losses is a priority. Reduction of
leakages, adequate maintenance and rehabilitation of infrastructure shall be
given high priority. All water shall be accounted for.

 The quality, coverage, the rehabilitation needs, and upgrading potential of
existing structures shall be assessed and duly considered before construction
of new infrastructure is considered.
 Structures and systems shall be properly maintained in a good condition;
appropriate annual budget provisions shall be made for this purpose.
 There shall be a regular monitoring of structures and systems and necessary
rehabilitation and modernisation programmes shall be undertaken.
 Water user associations shall be given the mandate and responsibility to
manage, operate and maintain small‐scale water infrastructure.
 Private sector involvement shall be prioritised. Depending upon the specific
situations, various combinations of private sector participation in building,
owning, operating, leasing and transferring of water resourced facilities will
be considered.
 New investments in water infrastructure must be designed with the objective
of minimising maintenance needs and complexity; and, in the case of small‐
scale schemes, enabling users to effectively operate and maintain them with
minimum external support.
 Storage dams and other water‐related structures must at all times be
maintained in a condition where they are safe and do not pose a risk to the
lives and health of people. They shall be under continuous surveillance and
their structural integrity and safety shall regularly be assessed by experts
paying regular visits on site. Emergency plans must be prepared and
approved by the State Government, and the responsible officers and people
potentially at risk must be duly trained on their execution.
Objectives

 To introduce professional cost recovery operation and preventive
maintenance , accountability
 To ensure long term functionality and safety of water infrastructure.
 To ensure continued and reliable service delivery.
 To reduce water losses, effluent leakages, and increase water availability for
users.
 To enhance water user participation.
 To enhance private sector involvement in water service delivery.
Policy measures and actions

 To undertake rehabilitation, upgrading and modernisation of existing
schemes (including tanks, ponds and lakes), such as implementing selective
lining of the conveyance systems, and introducing recycling and re‐use of
treated effluents.
 To develop and implement guidelines and modalities for water user managed
operation and maintenance schemes.
 To train water user association members in operation and maintenance of
schemes.
 To develop and implement guidelines and modalities for private sector
scheme operation and management.

 To outsource operation and management to private operators through
competitive and transparent processes.
 To assess the functionality and coverage of current supply chains of spare
parts and supplies, and provide needed support to establish or strengthen
the supply chains.
 To keep and updated cadastre of all hydraulic structures in the country dams
and weirs, dykes, river training, water intakes, irrigation, water supply and
sanitation networks.
 To enact dam safety legislation and guidelines to ensure proper inspection,
maintenance and surveillance of existing dams and also to ensure proper
planning, investigation, design and construction for safety of new dams. The
guidelines on the subject shall be periodically updated and reformulated.
 To establish a system of continuous surveillance and regular visits by
experts,
Institutions

 The Department of Water Resources will lead the establishment of guidelines
and modalities for community and private sector based operation and
management. It will also facilitate studies on, and support for, supply chains.
The Department will also lead the water infrastructure cadastre process, the
enactment of dam safety regulations, and the establishment of the
surveillance system.
 The following departments will undertake rehabilitation and upgrading of
existing infrastructure: the Department of Agriculture, the Public Health
Engineering Department, the Department of Urban Affairs, the Department of
Fisheries, the Public Works Department, Soil and Water Conservation
Department, the Power Department, and the Community and Rural
Development Department. They will also participate in the development of
safety regulations.
 The Community and Rural Development Department, the Department of
Agriculture and Department of Urban Affairs will support the capacity
building of Water User Associations.
 Municipalities, districts and district water resources development councils
will be responsible for engaging private sector and communities in operation
and maintenance, and for facilitating capacity building with support from
State Departments.
 The private sector will provide spare parts and supplies, undertake contract‐
based maintenance work, and private operators will be contracted by local
government to manage operate schemes.
 Communities and water user associations will be responsible for the
operation and management of small‐scale schemes.
3.2.9 Financing

The water sector is heavily depending on water infrastructure to manage and
distribute water. As the coordinating agency, the Water Resources Department
in cooperation with the Department for Rural Development, Public Health
Engineering Department, Soil and Water Conservation Department, the Power

Department, the Fisheries Department, will have to assess the status of rural
water facilities in relation to set coverage targets and based on that prepare a
sector investment plan. Access to sufficient and timely financing is a
precondition for increasing the coverage of water services, whether for water
and sanitation or for productive purposes. It is also a precondition for carrying
out operation and maintenance to ensure the viability and long‐term
sustainability of water schemes.

Furthermore, economic instruments can serve as incentives to ensure efficient
and prudent use of water resources, to promote stakeholder participation in
operation and maintenance, and to promote environmental sustainability and
social protection and equity.

Financing can potentially be secured from a range of sources, including
Government subsidies, taxes, private investments, user tariffs and fees, and
international development assistance; the most appropriate being determined
by the purpose and nature of the expenses and the context. It thus necessary to
establish a financing system, which combines different financing sources and
modalities in a way that ensures the financing requirements are met and that the
different objectives are achieved.
Principles

 Coverage of drinking water needs is a right of all people, so basic water
supply must be affordable for all.
 To promote efficient and prudent use and reduce wastage, water for any
purpose and sanitation shall be paid for by the consumer based on volume of
consumption.
 The price of water shall reflect its economic value; with the possible
exception of basic water for poor and vulnerable people.
 Non‐consumptive use of water will be free of charges, except those related to
protection of the environment or damage done to the environment in relation
to the uses, as per the provisions of the Meghalaya Water Act.
 Operation and maintenance shall be fully recovered through
user/consumption fees, tariffs and taxes whenever possible.
 Costs shall be covered in solidarity, e.g. by increasing tariffs and fees for users
with the financial capacity to pay in order to keep costs down for the poor
and vulnerable.
 Tariffs and fees shall only be subsidised, when they serve a social purpose
(i.e. to ensure access to basic water for the poor and vulnerable or remote
communities), when they are used to enhance environmental protection, or
when used for testing of innovations or new technology.
 Investments in construction and upgrading of rural infrastructure may be
subsidised, but should gradually be included in the setting of tariffs and fee
levels.
 Private investments in the water sector shall be encouraged.
 Costs associated with cleaning up pollution of water supplies, water bodies
and ground water shall be charged fully to the polluter.

 Taxes, fees and tariffs shall be collected at the lowest level appropriate,
preferably by water user associations or private operators.
 A proportion of taxes collected must be made available to local level
Government, e.g. for investments, operation and maintenance.
Objectives

 Mobilise sufficient funding for expanding service coverage and ensure
universal access to water and sanitation services in Meghalaya.
 Ensure financial viability and long‐term sustainability of service provision to
meet present and future demand.
 Ensure access to affordable water and sanitation services for poor and
vulnerable people.
 Provide economic incentives for efficient and prudent use of water.
 Provide economic incentives to reduce water pollution.
 Gradual phasing out of subsidies for operation and maintenance, and with
time for investments and construction.
Policy measures and actions

 To ring fence government revenues generated in the water sector, to ensure
they are used for the development of the water sector and not for other
purposes.
 To prepare a State water sector investment plan identifying funding needs
and financing modalities, with clear prioritisation based on current regional
imbalances, completion of ongoing projects, and rehabilitation of existing
schemes. Given this plan will directly affect all stakeholders; its development
must be participatory and transparent. The sector investment plan shall be
prepared on the basis of a comprehensive baseline assessment of the current
status, investment needs and their costs, and set targets for coverage
increases.
 To review current financing mix of the water sector, including subsidy, taxes,
cess, tariffs and fee modalities and assess its appropriateness vis‐à‐vis the
Water Policy.
 To develop and gradually roll out a tariff and fee system, which at the State
level will ensure full operation and maintenance cost recovery, while
ensuring that affordable water and sanitation services are available to the
poor and vulnerable as well as remote communities, e.g. through a system of
graduated tariffs with reduced costs for a basic allocation of water and
increasing costs for consumption above the basic level.
 To create an enabling environment and economic incentives for private
sector investments in the water sector.
 To raise stakeholder awareness of the need to pay for services.
Institutions

 The Planning Department will ensure that water revenues can be ring fenced.
 The Department of Water Resources will lead the review of the sector
finance, the preparation of the sector investment plan and the development

 of the revived tariff system. The department will also lead the process of
enhancing private sector involvement.
 The following departments will contribute with inputs to the investment plan
regarding the costs and financing related to their mandate in the water
sectors:
The Department of Agriculture, the Public Health Engineering Department,
the Soil and Water Conservation Department, the Department of Fisheries,
the Public Works Department, the Power Department, and the Community
and Rural Development Department.
 The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and the Forest and
Environment Department will contribute with inputs related to the water
cess, environmental fees, and the costs of water treatment and cleaning up
water pollution.
 The Community and Rural Development Department will lead rural
awareness campaigns on payments for services and facilitating community‐
based fee collection.
 Municipalities, districts and district water resources councils will be
responsible for establishing local tariff rates and systems based on the
provisions provided by the Department of Water Resources. They will also be
responsible for engaging private sector and communities.
 The private sector will invest in infrastructure, and private operators will
collect tariffs and fees as per the mandate provided by local government.
 Communities and water user associations will collect fees in community‐
managed schemes.
3.2.10 Disaster management and risk reduction

With its abundant rainfall being very unevenly distributed, Meghalaya is
susceptible to the impacts of both floods and droughts; and the frequency and
intensity of both. The impacts on both can be very severe, especially for farmers,
who can lose their crops and livestock to either type of calamity.

Furthermore, floods and earthquakes can result in casualties, cause landslides as
well as significant damage to people’s homes and infrastructure including water
and sanitation systems, irrigation schemes and dams. There is thus a need for
plans and systems to ensure that infrastructure is constructed to withstand
disaster; to reconstruct damaged infrastructure; to provide emergency support
to the victims of disasters; to compensate for crop, livestock and financial losses;
and to enable households to enhance their resilience against disasters and to
recover from the impacts of disasters.
Principles

 Preventive and preparatory measures that reduce the vulnerability to, and
damage from, floods and droughts shall be prioritised.
 The disaster resilience and preparedness of communities and their capacity
to address disasters shall be enhanced.
 Relief works undertaken for providing employment to drought stricken
population shall preferably be for drought proofing.

 Water infrastructure plans shall duly consider and address the risks of
damage from floods and earthquake.
 Adequate flood cushion shall be provided in water storage projects wherever
feasible to facilitate better flood management. In highly flood prone areas,
flood control shall be given overriding consideration in reservoir regulation
even at the cost of sacrificing some irrigation or power benefits.
 There shall be strict regulation of settlements and economic activity in flood
plain zones along with flood proofing, to minimize the loss of life and
property on account of floods.
Objectives

 Mitigate impacts of droughts and floods, and prevent the loss of human lives
and damage to property and infrastructure.
 Ensure a coordinated approach to flood and drought management at the state
level as a part of Disaster Management.
 Establish master plans for flood management and storm water drainage for
all flood prone basins.
 Improve community resilience and safety from flood and drought related
hazards and minimise the socio‐economic impacts.
 Ensure that water infrastructure is adequately constructed vis‐à‐vis flood
and earthquake damage.
 Ensure and protect drinking water supplies and food security.
Policy measures and actions

 To establish a modernised system for flood forecasting and warning.
 To carry out flood plain zoning.
 To establish flood control/management master plans for flood prone water
basins, with emphasis on coordinated responses from all relevant
institutions.
 To flood proof infrastructure.
 To ensure that water infrastructure is earthquake resistant.
 To protect upper catchments and hill sides to prevent flash floods and
landslides.
 To reduce drought vulnerability through soil moisture conservation, water
harvesting, minimization of evaporation losses, transfer of surface water
surplus to water deficit areas, and promotion of drought tolerant crops.
 To establish an emergency water supply action plan.
 To build the capacity of communities to undertake preventive actions and to
develop community‐based disaster risk reduction plans.
Institutions

 The Planning Department will lead the coordination between institutions
involved in disaster management and relief, and the establishment of
national plans.
 The Department of Water Resources will lead the establishment of flood
plain zoning, plans and guidelines for water related aspects of disaster

 management and preparedness; it will also lead the planning of inter‐basin
water transfers.
 The Soil and Water Conservation Department will lead the promotion of soil
moisture conservation, upper catchment protection and erosion control.
 The Forest and Environment Department will lead the protection of forests in
upper catchments and on slopes to prevent landslides and flash floods.
 The Department of Agriculture will promote rainwater harvesting and
drought tolerant crops.
 The Department of Urban Affairs will lead the protection of urban water and
sanitation systems and urban flood control.
 The Public Health Engineering Department will lead the protection of rural
water and sanitation systems.
 The Public Works Department will also construct physical infrastructure for
flood protection.
 The Community and Rural Development Department will lead and coordinate
efforts to build community capacity and resilience, and the development of
community‐based disaster risk reduction plans.
 Districts and District Water Resources Development Councils will lead the
development of local basin flood management plans and engage in building
community capacity and resilience.
 Communities will prepare community‐based disaster risk reduction plans,
and engage in preventive measures such as planting drought tolerant crops,
soil moisture conservation, and upper catchment protection.
3.2.11 Environment

Integration of environmental protection in water management is critical in order
to protect the integrity of hydrological systems and ecosystems, and to ensure
the long‐term availability of water in sufficient quantities and quality to meet
future needs. Furthermore, water management is closely interlinked with
sustainable land management and poor management of one can have
detrimental impacts on the other. The environmental aspects of the water sector
are multiple, and include addressing the following:
 Pollution of groundwater and surface water
 Falling groundwater tables
 Water flows in the dry season
 Flash floods and excessive surface runoff in the wet season
 Erosion
 Sedimentation of rivers, lakes and dams
 Water logging of soils
 Salination of soils
 Washing out of soil nutrients and loss of soil productivity
 Destruction of wetland and freshwater ecosystems
 Loss of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity
 Loss and depletion of fish stocks
Principles

 The environment is recognized as a legitimate user of water resources.

 Minimum ecological water needs must be met after drinking water needs
have been met, and before water is allocated for other uses.
 Integrated watershed management and catchment conservation shall be a
central part of all basin and water management plans.
 Exploitation of ground water resources shall not exceed the recharging
possibilities.
 Over exploitation of ground water shall be avoided, especially near the
brackish and polluted water bodies to prevent ingress of salt and polluted
water into aquifers.
 All development and sector plans shall be subject to independent strategic
environmental assessments.
 The preservation of the quality of environment and the ecological balance
shall be a primary objective in the planning, implementation and operation of
all water projects and investments.
 All investments, construction, projects and programmes shall be subject to
independent environmental impact assessments.
 Adequate mitigation actions must be implemented to offset and minimise
negative environmental impacts.
 Water use efficiency and recycling shall be promoted.
 Effluents must be treated to meet or exceed minimum requirements. Both
surface water and ground water shall be regularly monitored for quality.
 The “polluter pays” concept shall be applied.
Objectives

 Protect the health and integrity of hydrological systems.
 Ensure minimum water flows and water levels to maintain ecosystems and
biodiversity.
 Protect water sources and aquifers.
 Ensure sufficient water quantity and quality to meet the needs of future
generations.
 Ensure effective pollution control and prevent pollution of surface‐ and
groundwater.
 Minimise erosion and siltation of water bodies.
 Ensure that basin plans and development plans adequately address
environmental concerns.
 Ensure that appropriate mitigation actions are implemented to minimise
negative environmental impacts of development plans, investments,
construction, projects and programmes.
Policy measures and actions

 To implement a phase programme to improve water quality.
 To promote improved land and water management practices, such as soil and
water conservation, reduced tillage, catchment area treatment, preservation
of forest, reforestation of upper catchments, and construction of check dams.
 To establish protection zones and strictly regulate land use around springs,
rivers and streams.
 To enforce regulations regarding effluent treatment.

 To prepare a comprehensive land management plan at the State level,
keeping in view the environmental and ecological impacts, and regulate the
developmental activities accordingly.
 To rehabilitate land affected by water logging and salinisation, as part of
common area development programmes.
 To develop and implement ground water recharge projects to improve the
quality and availability of ground water.
 To undertake environmental awareness campaigns for communities and
private sector.
 To build the capacity available in Meghalaya to carry out rigid strategic
environmental assessments and environmental impact assessment.
Institutions

 The Planning Department will ensure coordination between and water
institutions and other institutions with a role in water and environmental
management, and ensure that environmental considerations are properly
addressed in development and sector planning.
 The Department of Water Resources will lead the management of state water
resources and ensuring that ecological needs are met and hydrological
integrity is maintained. They will also play a role in ensuring the strategic
environmental assessments and environmental impact assessments duly
cover water related issues.
 The Forest and Environment Department will be responsible for managing
protected areas and prevent encroachment of forests, and enforce upper
catchments protection regulations, and protect forests on sloped to avoid
erosion. The Department will also promote reforestation activities.
 The Department of Agriculture will lead the promotion of on‐farm improved
land and water management practices, such as minimum tillage and
mulching. The Departments will also promote safe and environmentally
sound application of farm chemicals and fertilisers.
 The Department of Fisheries will lead the protection of open water bodies
and rehabilitation of degraded water bodies, and regulate the exploitation of
fish stocks.
 The Department of Mining and Geology will ensure that mining operations
adhere to water regulations and measure water quality in relation to mines.
 The Department of Urban Affairs will lead the promotion of improving urban
environments, including treatment of urban sewerage.
 The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board will monitor water quality and
regulate wastewater management and enforce wastewater environmental
regulations.
 The Soil and Water Conservation Department will lead the promotion of soil‐
moisture conservation practices, erosion control, upper catchment and
riverbank protection interventions and practices to prevent siltation of water
bodies and disruptions to water flows.
 The Community and Rural Development Department will lead and coordinate
efforts to build community capacity and awareness in relation to
environmental management and sustainable practices.
 Municipalities will regulate that urban sewerage is adequately treated.

 Districts and District Water Resources Development Councils will lead the
development of local basin flood management plans and ensure they cover
environmental concerns and catchment protection. They will also will be
responsible for supporting and empowering the communities to engage in
environmental protection and sustainable land and water management
practices.
 Private companies will be responsible for adhering to environmental
legislation and regulations. They will be encouraged to engage in eco‐friendly
practices, ad use this as a marketing argument.
 Communities will participate in developing watershed management plans, ad
also implement soil‐moisture conservation, improved agricultural practices
on the ground, reforestation and upper catchment protection.
 Civil society will have a watchdog function to protect the environment.
3.2.12 Climate change

Climate change is expected to exacerbate disaster and environment related
issues. Furthermore, it is anticipated to have a negative impact on agricultural
production. The most significant impacts of climate change will be in relation to
water, so there is a particular need for the water sector to integrated climate
change considerations in it planning and implementation. However, climate
change is a crosscutting issue, so there is also a need to coordinate efforts with
those of other sectors.

While Meghalaya is vulnerable to negative impacts of climate change, it is also
acknowledged that the state contributes to greenhouse gas emissions; while
industries, transport and household energy consumption all contribute to this,
the most significant emission sources in Meghalaya are probably related to land
use, in particular deforestation and paddy rice production. New global climate
funding mechanisms also present new opportunities to attract funding for
interventions related to sustainable development, which can also benefit poor
rural communities of the State.
Principles

 All planning and implementation must duly take the impact of climate change
into account and include sufficient measures to ensure the long‐term viability
and sustainability vis‐à‐vis climate change impacts.
 All planning and implementation should seek to enhance climate change
resilience.
 No planning or implementation may increase the vulnerability to climate
change impacts.
 Climate change has significant socio‐economic dimensions, which must be
addressed. Technical solutions are important, but not enough, and
appropriate measures must be taken to address capacity, awareness,
governance and social issues.
 Low‐carbon options must be encouraged and promoted, whenever feasible.
Objectives

 Ensure water resources remain available in adequate quantity and quality in
the future in lieu of climate change.
 Build climate resilience of communities, industry, hydropower, and the water
sector at large.
 Adapt water use and management and water‐related production especially in
relation to agriculture, hydropower and industries, to climate change.
 Protect and maintain water flows and hydrological integrity.
 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and embrace the green economy concept.
Policy measures and actions

The policy measures and specific actions to address climate change will be
closely correlated with those related to disaster management and environment.
 To develop guidelines on the integration of climate change considerations in
basin management plans, use of water, and in water investments/projects.
 To review and assess the climate resilience of current water infrastructure
and identify adaptation options.
 To undertake research and modelling on the current and impact of climate
change at the State and local levels.
 To build the capacity to access and manage new climate funding
opportunities.
 To create awareness about the impacts of climate change and build the
capacity of government, private sector and communities and to identify and
implement possible actions.
Institutions

With climate change being a crosscutting issue, all stakeholders will integrate
and address climate change concerns as it relate to their specific mandate and
role, e.g. vis‐à‐vis planning, capacity building, programme implementation,
disaster management, and environment.
 The Planning Department is the nodal Department handling inter‐sectoral
issues relating to climate change and sustainable development, and will thus
lead the coordination between the water sector and other sectors in relation
to climate change responses.
 The Meghalaya State Council on Climate Change and Sustainable
Development will develop a coordinated response to climate change issues,
and oversee the formulation and implementation of climate change action
plans.
 The Department of Water Resources will lead the development of guidelines
and plans for climate change integration in the water sector.
 Research institutions will generate much needed knowledge about climate
change and its impacts at the State and local levels.
3.2.13 Knowledge, research and data
Knowledge is essential for good water resource management, which balances
economic development, social equity, and environmental sustainability. With the
challenges of improving service coverage, meeting increasing demands, and
protecting and rehabilitating water resources in a context of increased pressure

on their integrity, there is a need for new technologies and approaches, not only
requiring new technology, but also new management approaches and tools to
influence the behaviour of individuals, organisations and enterprises.
Furthermore climate change is increasingly exacerbating the challenges and
adding an aspect of further uncertainty. Currently, the data and knowledge
available in Meghalaya are incomplete, scattered, and often they are not
regularly updated.Hence, it is critical to ensure the available knowledge and
understanding in a number of ways:
- Firstly, current, reliable and regularly updated data on the state of water
resources, water management, and socio‐economic challenges and
constraints vis‐à‐vis water in Meghalaya are needed for informed and
evidence‐based decision making.
- Secondly, it is important to access and develop state‐of‐the art
technologies and approaches, and adapt them to the bio‐physical and
socio‐economic context of Meghalaya, which can address current and
future challenges.
- Thirdly, data, knowledge, technology options, and improved approaches
must be made available and accessible to stakeholders at all levels.
Principles

 Planning and decision‐making shall be based on all available evidence and
knowledge.
 Data and evidence shall be subject to scientific scrutiny and be triangulated
to check is validity.
 Water related data and knowledge must regularly be updated.
 Research must be independent and unbiased. Research and academic
institutions shall be autonomous.
 The development, testing and dissemination of non‐conventional and eco‐
friendly methods for water management and utilisation shall be promoted
and actively supported by the State Government.
 Stakeholders and the general public shall have wide access to available
information and data.
Objectives

 Ensure that decisions and plans are based on evidence and knowledge.
 Enhance the capacity of water stakeholders to undertake sustainable,
equitable, and participatory management of water resources.
 Ensure the availability of reliable and regular updated data.
 Ensure new knowledge, technology and approaches relevant in the context of
Meghalaya are developed, tested, and made available.
 Ensure state of the art technologies and approaches are available to
stakeholders in Meghalaya.
 Ensure sufficient research capacity is available in Meghalaya.
 Provide quality education of water professionals in Meghalaya.
 Promote scientific, technological and socio‐economic frontier research and
development on sustainable water resource management in Meghalaya.
 Promoting free exchange of data among agencies.

 Ensure that all stakeholders and the general public have good and easy
access to the available data and knowledge.
Policy measures and actions

 To assess and improve the collection of hydrological and meteorological data
and establish water stations across the state.
 To develop and implement a water research strategy.
 To develop a strategy for dissemination and uptake of research results.
 To facilitate financial support and technical advisory to increase the research
capacity, education programmes and research communication/dissemination
of universities and research institutes.
 To promote interdisciplinary research and collaboration between
researchers and other stakeholders to undertake joint and participatory
research and testing.
 To increase research and technology development in key areas, including:
‐ Hydrometeorology
‐ Rainfall hydrology
‐ Lake hydrology
‐ Surface and groundwater hydrology
‐ River morphology and hydraulics
‐ Assessment of water resources
‐ Water harvesting and ground water recharge
‐ Water quality
‐ Water conservation
‐ Evaporation and seepage losses
‐ Recycling and reuse
‐ Better water management practices and improvement in operational
technology
‐ Crops and cropping system
‐ Soils and materials
‐ New construction materials and technology (with particular reference to
roller compacted concrete, fibre reinforced concrete, new methodologies
in tunnelling technologies, instrumentation, advanced numerical analysis
in structures and back analysis)
‐ Seismology and seismic design of structures
‐ The safety and longevity of water – related structures
‐ Economical designs for water resources projects
‐ Risk analysis and disaster management
‐ Use of remote sensing techniques in development and management
Use of static ground water resource as a crisis management measure
‐ Sedimentation of reservoirs
‐ Use of river water resources
‐ Prevention of water logging and soil salinity
‐ Elimination of pollution of surface and ground water resources, e.g. from
coal wash
‐ Environmental impact
‐ Regional equity
 To develop and roll out new methods for water management and utilisation

 (e.g. artificial recharge of ground water, reclamation and repair renovation
and restoration of water bodies) and water conservation practices (e.g.
rainwater harvesting, soil moisture conservation).
 To improve and upgrade existing data collection systems to increase quality
and processing/analysis capacity. This includes adoption of standards for
coding, classification, processing of data and methods/procedures for data
collection. It also entails assimilating advances in information technology and
remote sensing techniques in order to create a modern information system.
 To strengthen district level laboratories, establish a new State Level Water
Testing Laboratory, and distribute water testing kits and train water user
associations on analysis of drinking water.
 To periodically reassess the groundwater potential on a scientific basis,
taking into consideration the quality of the water available and economic
viability of its extraction.
 To undertake comprehensive and reliable projections of water demands.
 To establish a publicly accessible online State water resources information
system, with regularly updated data and assessment of the State’s water
resources. The water resources information system shall cover multiples
levels, from the State level to sub‐basin and district levels.
 To develop, test with stakeholders, demonstrate and introduce new
technologies and approaches for improving water management (e.g. under
the Appropriate Technology Programme).
Institutions

 The Department of Water Resources and research institutions will jointly
develop of the water research strategy and dissemination and uptake
strategy.
 The Department of Water Resources will lead the promotion of
interdisciplinary research and collaboration between researcher and other
stakeholders. The Department will also lead the process of improving and
upgrading the existing data collection systems, and the introduction of the
water resources information system, which combines date provided by all
stakeholders, including State Departments, district water resource councils,
local government, traditional bodies, private sector and water user
associations. Furthermore, the Department will facilitate the establishment
and strengthening of testing laboratories.
 All stakeholders and Departments will collect data in line with their
mandates and input these in the water resource information system.
 Research institutions will lead efforts to attract funding and technical
advisory for building their capacities. They will also undertake strategic
water research and development of new technology and methodologies in
collaboration with other institutions/stakeholders and communities. They
will also access available data and knowledge proactively and use it in their
planning and decision‐making processes.

4. Implementation of the state water policy 

4.1 Institutional, capacity, institutional, legal and regulatory aspects

The legal and policy framework of India and both national and state levels is in a
transition phase. New policies and acts are being drawn up, which emphasise
new trends, such as decentralisation of responsibilities to the lowest appropriate
levels, increased participation of non‐state actors, possibilities of transferring
government scheme operation to the private sector, and a gradual shift of the
State Government’s role from service provision towards a regulatory function.
Furthermore, with the emergence of new crosscutting challenges such as climate
change and based on the experiences limitations of strict sectoral approaches,
there is a move towards integrated, coordinated and collaborative approaches.
Several of the currents acts governing the water sector are of some age, and do
not fully reflect current trends.

The responsibility for various elements of the water sector is spread across
several departments and other government institutions. This is in particular the
case in relation to irrigation and also in relation to other aspects. This makes it
challenging to coordinate the sector, and can also create ambiguities in relation
to roles and mandates.

Furthermore, the current institutional mandates do not fully reflect the
intentions of the Water Policy, which indicates a shift towards planning,
developing and managing water resources on a hydrological unit basis, using a
multi‐sectored, multi‐disciplinary and participatory approach as well as
integrating quality, quantity and the environmental aspects. Hence, an
institutional reform is needed, where the existing institutions at various levels
under the water sector will have to be appropriately reoriented/reorganised,
and new institutions may even need to be created in order to be fully conducive
for an integrated management of water resources.

To ensure the implementation of the new paradigm outlined by the Water Policy,
it will also be necessary to ensure that staff and stakeholders at all levels have
sufficient knowledge, skills and capacity to effectively carry out their mandates
and implement the new approaches and principles of the policy.
Principles

 State acts and policies governing the water sector must be aligned and
mutually reinforcing, and jointly form a comprehensive and consistent legal
framework.
 State acts and policies of the water sector and other sectors must be aligned
and mutually reinforcing.
 Institutional mandates must be clearly delineated between institutions and
without overlaps.
 The institutional framework and institutional mandates must be conducive
and supportive of inter‐institutional, inter‐sectoral and multi‐stakeholder
coordination and collaboration.
 The combined institutional mandates of the relevant Government institutions
must cover all aspects related to water management.

Objectives

 Ensure State acts and policies related to water are aligned and fully
supportive of the Meghalaya State Water Policy and Water Act, and of
integrated water resource management.
 Ensure that mandates and roles of all Government institutions are clearly
defined and delineated between institutions and supportive of the Meghalaya
State Water Policy and Water Act, and of Integrated Water Resource
Management.
 Ensure that institutional mandates promote collaboration and coordination
with other institutions and stakeholders.
 Enable staff and stakeholders at all levels within State Government, the
private sector, communities and civil society to effectively assume and carry
out their roles, responsibilities and functions in a participatory and
collaborative manner.
 Build the understanding and ownership among all stakeholders of the non‐
technical aspects of water management, including good governance,
transparency, rights and duties, social equity, gender issues, inclusion of
vulnerable and marginalised groups, and environmental aspects.
Policy measures and actions

 To review current legislation and assess whether amendments, updates or
replacements are needed to ensure full alignment with and support of the
Water Policy.
 To identify needs to coordinate acts and policies of water and other sectors.
 To make necessary changes to the legal framework of the water sector.
 To enter into dialogue with other sectors to coordinate and agree on actions
to align policies.
 To reform/restructure the institutional setup for the water sector. Steps in
this process include:
o Transferring the overall responsibility for the entire water sector to the
Department of Water Resources
o To establish the following sub‐departments:‐
1) Water Resource Management, 2) Urban Drinking Water, 3) Rural
Drinking Water, 4) Irrigation, and 4) Other Uses of Water. Sanitation is
included under urban drinking water and rural drinking water, respectively.
o Reviewing institutional mandates and structures vis‐à‐vis their relevance
and supportiveness of the Water Policy and the Water Act.
o Reviewing institutional mandates vis‐à‐vis their alignment with each
other and clarity of roles.
o Making any necessary institutional changes identified during the reviews.
o Making any necessary changes to institutional structures vis‐à‐vis their
revised mandates and the provisions of the Water Policy and Water Act.
o Realigning existing coordinating structures (Meghalaya Basin
Development Council, Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, District
water resources councils, watershed committees) to lead multi‐
stakeholder planning, development and management of river basins or
sub‐basins. If necessary, establish river basin and/or sub‐basin

 organisations to assume the responsibility for basin planning and
management.
 Undertake staff capacity assessments in all water sector institutions.
 To develop and implement capacity building programmes addressing key
gaps in each institution at the State, district and municipality levels.
 To develop and implement capacity building programmes for non‐state
actors, especially communities, but also civil society and private sector.
 To mobilise international development partners to provide technical
advisory ad capacity building support.
Institutions

The legal and institutional review and capacity building process will involve all
Government institutions in the water sector.
 The Department of Water Resources will lead the technical review of the
legal framework and alignment of current legislation and policies.
 The Planning Department will be lead the institutional review process to
ensure independence, impartiality and buy‐in from all institutions.

4.2 Sector coordination

With multiple actors in the water sector, including government agencies from
the State to local level, numerous communities, private sector, civil society and
research institutions, good coordination of all stakeholders is fundamental for
the implementation of the Water Policy and its participatory and integrated
water resource management approach.

A Sector Management Group shall be established, comprising high‐level
participation from all relevant government departments and institutions, and
representatives from districts, government, apex bodies of private sector and
civil society, academia, and other actors. The Sector Management Group will be
co‐chaired by the Chief Engineer of the Department of Water Resources and the
Principal Secretary of the Planning Department. It will meet regular to
coordinate actions and agree on joint actions. Working groups covering sub‐
sectors (e.g. sanitation) or addressing specific key issues can be established
under the Sector Management Group.

4.3 Action plan

The success of the State Water Policy will depend entirely on evolving and
maintaining a general consensus and commitment to its underlying principles
and objectives. To achieve the desired objectives, the State Water Policy backed
with an operational and time bound Action Plan. The State Water Policy may be
revised/amended periodically as and when need arise. The Action Plan will be
subject to an annual stakeholder review process (joint sector review), where
progress and needs for adjustments are assessed and discussed.

The Action Plan and an indicative timetable with milestones is presented in
Annex A with indications of objectives, indicators, targets, strategic actions, and
responsible institutions.

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Monitoring and evaluation are important management and transparency tools at
all levels, ranging from overall sector and policy monitoring to monitoring of
individual projects and schemes. Monitoring and evaluation of the Water Policy,
sector progress and individual projects and investments are essential in order to:
 Check whether implementation is proceeding as planned
 Track whether resources (financial and human) are utilised efficiently and
effectively
 Verify whether the targets related to goals and objectives are reached
 Assess the impact achieved and see whether the actions effectively
contribute to policy and development target for the State
 Identify if the policy, action plans or intervention designs need to be adjusted,
changed or rectifying measured should be implemented
 Ensure transparency and mutual accountability of stakeholders
 Enable evidence‐based management decisions
Principles

Experience shows that for monitoring and evaluation to be an effective
management tool, which yields relevant and reliable information, a number of
requirements, or principles, should be fulfilled. These include:
 All policies, plans and interventions/projects must include a monitoring and
evaluation system.
 Monitoring shall be participatory and actively involve stakeholders in the
analysis, so each can assess their own progress. Analyses done at the central
must be made available to stakeholders at the lower levels.
 Monitoring shall not be top‐down, but yield relevant and useful information
for stakeholders at all levels. Analysis of monitoring data shall happen at all
levels. If the lower levels merely feed data to the higher level, there is a risk of
limited ownership and appreciation at the lower levels, which will affect the
reliability of the data gathered; and an opportunity for informed decision‐
making at the lower levels is lost.
 Indicators shall be limited in number to avoid information overload and
excessive time spent gathering them, SMART (specific, measurable,
attainable, relevant and time bound), and well spaced to capture the key
aspects without duplication/overlaps. A maximum of 10‐15 indicators is
recommended for the Water Policy, action plan, and for each
project/intervention.
 Only indicators that will be analysed shall be included. All data collected must
be analysed and used, otherwise the data collection is redundant.
 Indicators need to capture socio‐economic and environmental outcomes and
results, and provide account of the efficiency, effectiveness, impact, relevance
and sustainability of the actions undertaken.
 A baseline must always be established for each indicator.
Objectives

The key policy objectives are to:

 Ensure that the Water Policy, plans and interventions are implemented in a
way that leads to the desired results.
 Enable evidence‐based decision making.
 Create transparency for all stakeholders and the wider public in relation to
the results achieved and gaps and challenges.
Policy measures and actions

 To identify 10‐15 key indicators for the Water Policy, action plan and water
sector.
 Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation system and plan for the
Water Policy, action plan and water sector; with clear indicators of
institutional roles and responsibilities and of regular reporting requirements.
 To undertake a comprehensive baseline survey for all indicators.
 To build the capacity of all stakeholders to engage in participatory
monitoring and to use monitoring as a results‐based management tool.
 To develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation framework for water
related projects/interventions/investment.
 To establish a central database for collection of monitoring data from all
water projects/interventions/investment.
 To annually review the Water Policy, action plans, and specific projects and
assess needs for adjustments and changes.
Institutions

All sector institutions shall undertake/participate in monitoring and evaluation.
The Programme Implementation and Evaluation Department will support the
development and implementation of a participatory monitoring and evaluation
system for the Water Policy, and the sector.

Annex A  Action plan 

No Intervention Objective Action Milestone Indicator Target Lead Challenge
area Begin/End) institution

Annex B  Stakeholder consultation plan 

Date Activity Stakeholders Participants Responsible Result Remark

Annex C  References/bibliography 

‐ National Water Policy (2012)
‐ Meghalaya State Water Policy, 2011 (draft)
‐ State Action Plan on Climate Change, Meghalaya
‐ Vision 2030 (2011)
‐ The Eleventh Five Year Plan, 2012‐2017 (draft)
‐ The Twelfth Five Year Plan, 2012‐2017 (draft)
‐ The Meghalaya Mineral Policy (2010)
‐ The Tourism Policy of Meghalaya (2011)
‐ Government of Meghalaya: https://meghalaya.gov.in
‐ Planning Department: http://megplanning.gov.in/about.htm
‐ Meghalaya Basin Development Authority: http://mbda.nic.in/about.html
‐ Department of Water Resources:
http://megwaterresources.gov.in/index.html
‐ Soil and Water Conservation Department: http://megsoil.gov.in/
‐ Public Health Engineering Department: http://megphed.gov.in/
‐ Department of Agriculture:http://megagriculture.gov.in/
‐ Forest and Environment Department: http://megforest.gov.in/
‐ The Programme Implementation and Evaluation Department:
http://megpied.gov.in/
‐ Community and Rural Development Department: http://megcnrd.gov.in/
‐ Department of Mining and Geology: http://megdmg.gov.in/
‐ Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board: http://megspcb.gov.in/
‐ Shillong Municipal Board: http://smb.gov.in/aboutus.html
‐ Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited: http://meecl.nic.in/board.htm
‐ Community‐Led Total Sanitation:
http://www.communityledtotalsanitation.org/
‐ 2011 Population Census:
http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/meghalaya.html
‐ Millenium Development Goals – India Country Report 2011
http://www.undp.org/content/india/en/home/library/mdg/mdg_india_cou
ntry_report_2011.html
‐ Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources: www.cgwb.gov.in
‐ Aquifer Systems of Meghalaya,Central Ground Water Board
‐ The World Bank: Development and Growth in Northeast India, The Natural
Resources, Water, and Environment Nexus. Report No. 36397‐IN, May 28
2007