Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 50 million loan agreement to enhance water security and climate resilience in Meghalaya. The Climate-Adaptative Community-Based Water-Harvesting Project aims to construct water-harvesting systems (WHS), mitigate climate vulnerabilities, and improve water access across the state.
The agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, representing the Government of India, and Mio Oka, ADB’s India Resident Mission Country Director.
Mukherjee highlighted that the project aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy (MSWP) 2019, which prioritizes sustainable water resource management and participatory development. “This initiative will strengthen Meghalaya’s resilience against climate challenges while ensuring water availability for diverse purposes,” she stated.
Mio Oka added that ADB's involvement extends beyond financing, with the bank providing technical guidance to integrate climate-adaptive measures into the state’s water security strategies. She emphasized that the WHS would support agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, and other livelihoods, contributing to economic growth.
Key components of the project include constructing 532 small, climate-resilient water-storage facilities across 12 districts. These facilities will capture excess rainfall during the monsoon season to address flash floods while ensuring water availability during dry periods. The initiative will benefit 3,000 hectares of farmland through reliable irrigation systems, alongside the deployment of 50 weather stations for climate monitoring.
The project will also introduce micro-irrigation systems in Garo, Jaintia, and Khasi regions and pilot renewable energy micro-hydropower systems in three WHSs. Additionally, village employment councils, watershed committees, and water users’ associations will play pivotal roles in managing village-level water security plans.
To ensure long-term success, the Meghalaya State Watershed and Wasteland Development Agency and the Soil and Water Conservation Department will receive training in water management and operations. Women farmers will also acquire skills in horticulture and fishery techniques to enhance agricultural productivity.
ADB, established in 1966, remains committed to fostering a prosperous and sustainable Asia-Pacific while combating extreme poverty through collaborative projects like this.
