Experts at Dhanamanjuri University roundtable urge inter-departmental efforts for springshed management in Manipur and ensure water security.
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IMPHAL — The coordinated efforts among departments, supported by data-driven planning and community participation, are essential for restoring spring flows and achieving long-term water security in Manipur.
This was conveyed by experts attending the 3rd Inter-Departmental Roundtable on Springshed Management Conference organised by Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) Manipur and the Forest Department in Imphal on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. W Chandbabu, vice chancellor of DMU, stressed the need for strong inter-departmental collaboration involving departments such as Water Resources (Jal Shakti), Land Resources, Forest, Environment and Climate Change.
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He noted that integrated action and close coordination with academic institutions would significantly enhance the impact of government initiatives aligned with the national vision on springshed management.
Y Homendro Singh, chief engineer of the Water Resources department, emphasised that spring rejuvenation requires scientific, catchment-based, and inter-departmental approaches. He highlighted the Forest Department’s ongoing Community-based Sustainable Forest Management (COSFOM) project aimed at conserving watersheds feeding major rivers in the Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts.
L Joykumar Singh, chief conservator of forests, Forest Department, said that reviving the springs would be one of the key solutions in resolving the issue of scarcity of water in Manipur.
“Because we’ve lost most of our springhead recharge area due to deforestation, change in land use pattern and developmental activities,” Joykumar, who is also project director of COSFOM said.
According to experts’ reports, more than 50 per cent of the springs have either dried up or had their recharge capacities reduced in Manipur.
“Our forefather saw water flowing through rivers. Today our generation sees water in a bottle. If we don’t act now, our future generation will see water in a capsule,” he added.
As part of the roundtable, nodal officers of several departments were felicitated. This was followed by technical sessions which focused on the status of approval of the roadmap and institutionalisation of the roundtable, a brief on the Springshed Management Syllabus by DMU, Spring Census Manipur and an introduction to working groups on the roadmap action plan.