Manipur’s Kakching Ethei main canal set for rejuvenation

Ethei main canal in Manipur s Kakching district.

• KAKCHING — Most of the rivers which pass through the valley areas of Manipur excluding Barak - the largest river in the state – have turned seasonal due to decline of natural springs.
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• This was stated by Director of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. T Brajakumar Singh, during the World Water Day 2025 celebration-cum- launching of yearlong campaign for rejuvenation of Kakching Ethei main canal at the dumping site-turned-park at Kakching Louyai Lambi(Wairi Thingel),50 km south of Imphal on March 23.
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• “Around 52 percent of the springs in the state are drying up... Around 36 springs out of 96 at the catchment area of Nambul River have already dried up,” the official said.
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• Nambul River, which originates from Kounu hills, flows down through the valley area after passing through the busy Imphal market and empties into Loktak, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
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• Like Nambul, Imphal and Thoubal - the two main rivers in the state are also facing a similar issue.
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• With many of the springs in the hills drying up and interrupting flow of the rivers, both hills and valleys have been facing water shortage for the past 5-10 years, raising concerns of chronic water scarcity.
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• "Thus the rejuvenation of springs is the need of the hour," he added. "Otherwise we'll have to buy water like we buy fuel from the neighbouring states."
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• Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society Kakching district branch, Dr. M Rajkumar Singh; caretaker chairperson of Kakching Municipal Council, N Sanjitkumar Singh; Sanabam Joykumar Singh of administrative committee (Pallel gram panchayat) and key functionary of Alliance for Development Alternatives-Manipur (ADAM), Kakching, attended the event.
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• Sunday’s launching of yearlong campaign for rejuvenation of Kakching Ethei main canal was organised by ADAM Kakching in collaboration with Management Committee of Louyai Lambi Park and Indian Red Cross society Kakching district branch.