Aizawl, January 23, 2026: The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Government of Mizoram, and the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) on Friday formally renewed their long-standing partnership aimed at promoting water conservation, protecting water sources, and improving sanitation and hygiene standards across the state.
The renewed agreement marks the continuation of a collaborative initiative that has been in operation since 2012 and has played a significant role in raising public awareness about the sustainable use of water resources and the importance of maintaining clean and healthy communities.
Officials said the PHED–Central YMA partnership has produced encouraging results over the years, particularly in the protection and conservation of water sources throughout Mizoram. Through coordinated efforts involving community participation, awareness campaigns, and local initiatives, the programme has helped strengthen public understanding of the need to safeguard water resources amid growing environmental and developmental challenges.
The collaboration has also contributed substantially to hygiene and sanitation promotion. Between 2017 and 2025, joint activities carried out by PHED and Central YMA focused on educating communities about cleanliness, safe sanitation practices, and public health. Officials noted that these efforts have helped foster healthier lifestyles and encouraged communities to actively participate in maintaining clean surroundings.
According to authorities, the partnership is guided by two primary objectives. The first is the conservation, protection, and sustainable management of water resources across the state. The second is the promotion of cleanliness, sanitation, and hygiene-based development as essential components of community well-being and public health.
While acknowledging the achievements of the programme, officials emphasized that significant challenges remain in ensuring long-term water security and improving sanitation standards throughout Mizoram. Rapid urbanisation, changing environmental conditions, and increasing demand for water resources have made it necessary to continue and strengthen existing conservation efforts.
In view of these challenges and the positive outcomes achieved so far, the Government of Mizoram approved an extension of the PHED–Central YMA collaboration for another two years. The extension was formalised through an official government order issued on January 15, 2026.
Following the approval, the renewed agreement was officially signed on January 23 at 3:00 pm. The document was signed by Zodinthari, Engineer-in-Chief of PHED, and R. Lalngheta, President of the Central YMA, representing their respective organisations.
Speaking on the occasion, representatives of both PHED and Central YMA reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership and expanding its impact in the years ahead. They stressed the importance of greater community involvement in protecting water sources and promoting sanitation practices, noting that sustainable development depends heavily on public participation and awareness.
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The organisations also pledged to intensify educational campaigns, strengthen grassroots engagement, and encourage local communities to take active responsibility for preserving natural water resources. Special emphasis will be placed on promoting sustainable water use, preventing pollution of water sources, and enhancing sanitation infrastructure and awareness in both urban and rural areas.
Officials expressed confidence that the renewed partnership would build upon the achievements of the past decade and contribute significantly to the state's efforts to ensure water security, environmental sustainability, and improved public health. The extension is expected to further strengthen collaboration between government agencies and civil society organisations in addressing some of Mizoram’s most important environmental and developmental challenges.]
