Shillong: Meghalaya’s community-led approach to climate adaptation and water security has received recognition in the Economic Survey 2025–26, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday.
He made the statement at a time when the state is facing growing concerns over drying springs. In addition, many areas have reported a steady decline in water discharge.
Sangma said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey in Parliament. He added that the survey highlighted Meghalaya’s ecosystem-based and community-centric strategies to address water security challenges.
“With initiatives like MegARISE, spring mapping, and community-based water harvesting, the state is protecting critical catchments, restoring forests, and empowering local communities to adapt to climate change, strengthening water security for generations to come,” Sangma said in a post on X. He added, “When communities lead the way, great things are possible.”
Meghalaya is witnessing growing stress on its water resources. Nearly half of the state’s springs have either dried up. Meanwhile, many others have shown a sharp decline in water discharge.
In response, the state government has adopted a community-centric climate adaptation strategy. Moreover, it has rolled out multiple flagship initiatives to address the crisis.
These initiatives include the Protection of Vulnerable Catchment Areas in Meghalaya (MegARISE). They also include the Spring Mapping Initiative and the Climate-Adaptive Community-Based Water Harvesting Project.
Under the MegARISE project, the government is protecting critical catchment areas through sustainable forest management. At the same time, it is carrying out watershed treatment and forest restoration. Moreover, the project actively involves local communities in conservation efforts.
Officials plan plantation activities across 8,430 hectares. In addition, the project targets the treatment and protection of two major catchments – Umiew and Ganol.
The Spring Mapping Initiative uses Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to map over 55,000 springs across Meghalaya. As a result, authorities can take timely corrective measures. This will help conserve and revive water sources.
In addition, the government is implementing more than 500 community-based water harvesting projects across the state. These projects aim to promote climate-resilient water management at the grassroots level.
“These initiatives aim not only to secure water resources but also to empower communities to adapt effectively to climate change,” Sangma said. He added that community participation remains central to the success of Meghalaya’s water security efforts.