In the lush and verdant landscapes of Meghalaya, where misty hills embrace the sky, the daily routine of rural women once began with an arduous trek. These women navigated steep, winding paths, balancing heavy aluminum pots on their heads and waists to fetch water from distant streams. This exhausting ritual, often spanning up to a kilometer each way, had to be performed twice daily—regardless of illness, menstruation, or exhaustion. Water was too vital a resource to forego.
Yet, the irony was striking. The village of Kyrdemkhla, located near Mawsynram—the wettest place on Earth, receiving over 11,871 mm of annual rainfall—struggled with severe water scarcity for much of the year. The Integrated Basin Development and Livelihoods Promotion Programme (IBDLP), a flagship initiative of the Meghalaya government, highlights this paradox: “Meghalaya grapples with the irony of scarcity amidst plenty. The rainfall is only for 6-8 months in a year, leaving the dry months with significant water scarcity problems. Due to the distinct topographical and geomorphological conditions of the state, there is high surface runoff to the neighboring plains very quickly.”
A Woman’s Quest for Water Self-Sufficiency
One woman decided that enough was enough. Lakmen Mary Nongkhlaw, a dedicated assistant teacher at Diengkynthong LP School for the past 15 years, took it upon herself to ease the burden on her community. Having personally experienced the grueling water collection process, she understood the inefficiency and hardship it created.
“The school started at nine, which meant I had to finish all household chores—including cooking, cleaning, and fetching water—before leaving for work,” she recalls. “I would leave to fetch water at seven in the morning, waiting in long queues to access a specific, unpolluted stream. It was exhausting.”
Determined to change this reality, Lakmen Mary spearheaded a movement to construct water assets such as check dams, water storage tanks, and afforestation projects to protect water catchment areas. Her relentless efforts have significantly improved water availability closer to villagers’ homes.
Building a Sustainable Future
Under her leadership, the villagers planted 16,000 saplings, constructed five water storage tanks, and renovated six spring chambers. “We built four check dams and implemented water conservation projects to ensure sustainable access to this critical resource. These efforts have resulted in six water taps being installed within the village, facilitating easy water access even during the dry winter months,” she explains. Since 2016, she has also served as the Secretary of the Village Employment Council, further reinforcing her commitment to development and conservation.
From Hardship to Empowerment
Recognized as a changemaker, Lakmen Mary’s work has transformed not only water accessibility but also the quality of life in her village. “Women now spend less time on exhausting water-fetching trips, allowing them to dedicate more time to family, education, and economic activities. These changes have revitalized community life and provided educational opportunities for women and girls, who can now attend school regularly,” she shares.
Her leadership has inspired many, particularly women, to engage actively in conservation and developmental projects, fostering a newfound sense of empowerment and agency.
“Lakmen Mary has become a role model for grassroots leadership,” says Batrity Warkri, a teacher in the village since 2007. “I have seen her devote her time after work to conservation efforts—from planting saplings to digging soil and constructing check dams. Because of her, life in the village has improved.”
A Labor of Love Recognized Nationally
For Lakmen Mary, her work is a labor of love. “This project did not cost me a penny, only my time. After work, I would go around the village with construction tools to repair spring chambers and build check dams. It was all done with collective community effort.”
Her selfless dedication has not gone unnoticed. She has received accolades from the Office of The District Rural Development Agency, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, recognizing her transformative impact. In September 2024, she found herself in the distinguished company of President Droupadi Murmu at India Water Week in New Delhi.
“I couldn’t believe I was standing before the President, narrating my work,” she recalls with pride. “Back home, my community celebrated my recognition—my photos were shared in WhatsApp groups, and many villagers proudly set them as their statuses.”
Yet, for Lakmen Mary, the journey is far from over. “Now, I aim to initiate additional projects, including the construction of a large check dam and implementing three new rainwater harvesting systems, to continue improving water access and conservation in my community.”
Her story is a testament to the power of grassroots leadership, resilience, and the impact one determined individual can have on an entire community. Through her efforts, a generation of women in Kyrdemkhla is now free from the daily trek for water, able to dream bigger, and embrace a future where their time is spent not in struggle, but in growth.