BOLENG : A four-day training and orientation programme on water management and the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) concluded at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here on Friday, with more than 240 participants from different sectors attending the sessions.
Organised from July 28 to 31, the programme brought together teachers, Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), health assistants, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi workers and departmental officers and staff. The initiative aimed to enhance awareness of sustainable water resource management and familiarise participants with the objectives and expected developmental benefits of SUMP.
Siang Deputy Commissioner Tayi Taggu attended all four sessions and interacted with participants throughout the programme. Addressing the concluding session, he emphasised the importance of sustainable water management and informed, transparent public participation in the proposed project.
Siang District Planning Officer Tapik Komut served as a key resource person during all four sessions. He highlighted the importance of community awareness and, along with officials of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), spoke on water conservation and river basin management.
NHPC Group Senior Manager Tabom Taggu delivered detailed presentations on river management, water conservation, SUMP and its expected benefits. He also interacted with participants and responded to queries during the sessions.
Other resource persons included Department of Hydro Power Development Assistant Engineer (Civil) Tanom Tatak, who participated in the teachers’ session on July 28, and Siang District Medical Officer Dr Johny Darang, who addressed the July 30 session for ANMs, health assistants and ASHA workers.
The programme began with a session for around 60 teachers on July 28, followed by an orientation for about 60 CDPOs and Anganwadi workers on July 29. Around 50 ANMs, health assistants and ASHA workers attended the third session on July 30, while the concluding session for nearly 70 departmental officers and staff was held on July 31.
Seven informational videos on SUMP and water management were screened during the programme. Participants were also provided with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Benefits of the Project (BOP) booklets to improve their understanding of the proposed project.
Officials said the four-day awareness programme highlighted the importance of SUMP in water resource management, regional infrastructure and long-term sustainable development, while strengthening transparency and community engagement in the proposed project.
