The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $50 million loan to improve water resources management, enhance access to water, and strengthen community resilience to climate change in the state of Meghalaya, India.
“The project supports the 2019 Meghalaya State Water Policy, which aims for the sustainable development and management of the state’s water resources through a participatory approach. It seeks to reduce vulnerability and promote integrated water resource management,” said Vikas Goyal, ADB Senior Project Officer for Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development. “This initiative will bolster the capacity of Meghalaya’s districts to manage water resources effectively, while introducing water storage systems that ensure water security and enhance the climate resilience of communities.”
The Climate-Adaptative Community-Based Water-Harvesting Project will develop a comprehensive state-wide Water Harvesting System (WHS) master plan. This forward-looking plan will incorporate gender and social inclusion considerations, while factoring in weather patterns and disaster risk management. The project will facilitate the creation of water security plans at the village level, managed by Village Employment Councils (VEC), Watershed Management Committees (WMC), and Water Users Associations (WUA).
The project includes the construction of 532 water storage facilities across 12 districts. These facilities will feature climate-resilient designs to capture and manage monsoon-induced heavy rainfall and flash floods. Stored water will be used for irrigation during the winter dry season, while also providing flood management benefits. Additionally, the project will develop irrigation infrastructure for at least 3,000 hectares of farmland, ensuring reliable water supply for farmers.
Other key initiatives include constructing and upgrading small multipurpose reservoirs, establishing 50 weather stations for data collection and monitoring, and implementing climate-smart micro-irrigation systems in the Garo, Jaintia, and Khasi regions. The project will also pilot renewable energy micro-hydropower solutions in three WHSs.
ADB will provide capacity-building support to the Meghalaya State Watershed and Wasteland Development Agency and the Soil and Water Conservation Department. Training will be provided to VECs, WMCs, and WUAs on climate-resilient agricultural and non-agricultural practices. Additionally, farmers, particularly women, will receive training to enhance productivity in irrigated agriculture, including horticulture and fishery techniques.
ADB is committed to fostering a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while continuing its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, ADB is owned by 68 members, with 49 from the region.