Imphal: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho says protecting water sources must outrank land disputes and politics. He spoke at the second conclave on Climate-Resilient Springshed in Imphal. The event brought together researchers, government staff, and community leaders to build better management strategies for the Indian Himalayan Region.
Forest degradation is killing springs across the state. The situation is dire. Dikho noted the tension between regional conflicts and basic needs. "Many forest areas are degraded, which has resulted in the loss of springs in Manipur. We can buy bullets, but we cannot buy water if its sources completely dry up. We should give greater emphasis to the conservation of forests and springs," he stated.
Water sustains the economy and culture. It links the hills, wetlands, and valleys. Delegates from Sikkim, Meghalaya, Assam, Nepal-based ICIMOD, and ACWADAM attended the session to discuss these ecological ties. Principal Secretary Arun Kumar Sinha revealed the 2025 government publication, Springs of Manipur. This report maps critical springs and details hydrogeological studies across the state.
Sinha wants more than small, isolated projects. He pushes for an integrated springshed management framework. This plan will inventory springs and monitor discharge, seasonal flow, and water quality. Officials aim to combine hard science with community action to secure water supplies for the entire Himalayan region.
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