Environment and Climate Change project : Spring revival in Ukhrul

R Lester Makang *

E&CC project sets example for spring revival in Ukhrul :: Pix - Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Amidst continued environmental degradation, Lunghar village in northern Ukhrul had plunged into a severe water crisis, the likes of which were never seen in its history. By 2020, the village's primary water sources - natural springs in the Wada/Wata forest - were nearly depleted, leaving residents in dire straits.

With springs drying up during the dry season, which typically lasts from November to April, 23-year-old K Shingleinao found herself trekking long distances to fetch a few pots of water, straining her household dynamics as she struggled to balance domestic duties with the necessity of securing water. "I would wake up early in the morning and walk to a pond far from our village," Shingleinao recounted.

Like Shingleinao, many women in the village faced similar challenges due to seasonal water scarcity, largely attributed to dwindling springs - lifeline for drinking water, irrigation, and daily needs - amid the unchecked degradation of the forest caused by human activities such as deforestation.

As the crisis deepened, local social activist Lungharwoshi Thingreiphi felt compelled to act. "I reached out to E&CC director Dr Brajakumar Singh to explore ways to alleviate the villagers' hardships.

He responded positively and initiated a spring rejuvenation programme in our village as a pilot project for Manipur, one of four Himalayan states selected for the springshed management programme," she explained.

Thingreiphi, nevertheless, noted that specific criteria are used to select sites for the project, with a key focus on water sources.

E&CC project sets example for spring revival in Ukhrul :: Pix - Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

The Wada/Wata forest holds significant potential, situated within the mountain range, which is contiguous with the Shirui mountain range - the main source of spring water for the entire Ukhrul district headquarters.

In early 2022, the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DE&CC), Manipur implemented a pilot project titled 'Spring Management in the Himalaya', aiming to address the acute water crisis in a scientifically informed yet culturally sensitive manner.

Thingreiphi recalled that the initial survey for the project commenced in September 2021, with mapping of catchment areas and other groundwork completed by the end of the year. "Hill districts like Ukhrul act as vital catchment areas for the valley but are often overlooked in climate change programmes, including the State Action Plan.

However, this pilot spring rejuvenation project is bridging that gap," observed Thingreiphi, who has worked on UN-level environmental initiatives. After over two years of dedicated efforts, the pilot project yielded remarkable results, much to the relief and joy of local villagers.

"The project has not only increased spring discharge, alleviating our water scarcity, particularly during the dry season, but also fostered community empowerment, instilling a sense of ownership and responsibility towards our natural resources," she said.

Thingreiphi noted that the initiative blends traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific practices, as a pilot project and it has succeeded in revitalising critical water sources. "This project has relieved us from the burden of having to fetch water from distant ponds. It has greatly improved our water situation. We are very grateful to the department for their support," said Shingleinao.

The success of the spring rejuvenation project, part of a broader initiative under the Government of Manipur's State Action Plan on climate action, was highlighted during a recent joint held visit by members of the Ukhrul District Working Journalists' Association (UDWJA) and a DE&CC team led by project director K Gainamei.

"This project is being implemented at two of the three spring sources in Wada forest, namely Wada 1 and Wada 2.We have observed a remarkable improvement in spring water output since the project's implementation, with a capacity of 10 litres every 24 seconds during the current dry season," stated Maria Ihao, one of the community resource persons (CRFs) monitoring the project.

Ihao explained that the Wada springs have significantly revived since 2024, now supporting 550-odd households, with Wada 1 serving 70 percent and Wada 2 around 30 percent. "In our village, we have also installed a reservoir with a capacity of 150,000 litres across three chambers," he added.

As part of the project, over two square km of the Wada forest have been designated as a reserved area, alongside the construction of structures such as brushwood check dams and loose boulder check dams downstream. "Additionally, we constructed toe trenches, open recharge pits, and rainwater harvesting structures," he noted.

Local headman Mataisang Lungharwo shared his perspective on the project's impact, recalling that his village had enjoyed abundant springs that supported villagers' livelihoods for generations. However, in 2020, the village faced an unprecedented water shortage crisis as main sources dried up due to unchecked forest destruction.

"We feared for our future. But in 2021, the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change intervened, and by 2024, we began to witness significant improvements in spring water volume. This project has resolved our water shortage to a great extent," Mataisang affirmed.

He also shared the new-found understanding of the importance of caring for their forests, stating that locals have taken various steps, including plantation initiatives and the construction of loose boulder dams, to restore spring water sources.

The Department has also extended assistance to the locals in terms of plantation, fencing, and research-based inputs. Mataisang urged other villages in the district to replicate this project and reap similar benefits, considering that water crises are common in Ukhrul due to its hilly terrain.

At the heart of the project is a participatory approach that integrates local knowledge and traditional practices into planning and implementation. "Local participation is crucial for the success of this project. Without local cooperation, the department and other agencies would not have achieved these results," remarked Gainamei.

He said that the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change implemented the project in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Mountain Indigenous Knowledge Centre (MIKC), and the Advanced Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM) under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) .

Gainamei affirmed that the objective of the project is to ensure water security and enhance climate resilience, especially considering that up to 50 percent of springs in the Himalayan region have dried up, according to a Niti Aayog report.

"We are working with environmental experts to restore the hydrological balance of the site while empowering Lunghar residents to manage their natural resources," he stated, adding that the project includes extensive preliminary groundwork such as mapping the village's water resources, assessing existing springs, and evaluating degradation levels.

The project officer further explained that implementation involved numerous activities for spring recharge intervention, including the construction of 45 loose boulder check dams, toe trenches, and the installation of two spring discharge measuring instruments and a spring recharge automated weather station.

In addition, 18 crib structures were built, 600 metres of barbed wire fencing were installed, and rooftop rainwater harvesting systems were introduced. Gainamei also mentioned that around 2,500 oak trees were planted across 3.2 hectares in the forest, with ongoing collection of spring discharge data.

A major fencing initiative is currently underway at the upper part of the mountain slope to prevent grazing that could damage the plantation in the reserved forest. At the same time, a livelihood development programme has been initiated, introducing millet cultivation to locals, alongside the development of orchard farms and greenhouse nurseries in the village.

The project also focuses on capacity building and training for skill enhancement and environmental awareness, he added. The Wada spring rejuvenation project is an exemplary model that could be replicated in other villages across Manipur, particularly in areas facing similar spring depletions amid climate challenges.

Moreover, the achievements of the Wada project also illustrate a vital lesson - the importance of local contribution; participation, and cooperation. The success of the Wada project should not go unnoticed, and future water management initiatives need to prioritise local involvement to ensure their long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

Ultimately, this collaborative spirit strengthens community bonds and empowers locals to take an active role in safeguarding their environment.

(This article is published under the joint initiative of the
Media Resource Centre (MRC),
Directorate of Environment & Climate Change (DE&CC),
and Ukhrul District Working Journalists' Association (UDWJA)) .