Manipur's path to climate resilience

Goshaimayum Chanu Sapna *

Environmental consciousness emerged globally in the 1960s, catalyzed by Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962), which exposed environmental damage caused by pesticides. This awareness culminated in the 1972 Stockholm Conference, the first major international summit on the environment.

By the 1990s, climate change took center stage, leading to the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, setting binding emission reduction targets for developed Nations. International organizations, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the European Environment Agency (EEA), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), among others, have played pivotal roles in shaping global environmental governance.

The urgency of climate action is underscored by findings from the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2021), reporting a 1.2° C rise in global temperatures since pre-industrial times. The decade from 2011 to 2020 was the warmest on record.

Climate change now affects an estimated 13 million people annually through floods, droughts, wildfires, and heatwaves. These extreme events are primarily driven by human activities—fossil fuel combustion and deforestation (UN, 2023). Growing demands for goods, rising population, urbanization, and industrialization also contribute to the exploitation of natural resources and reliance on fossil fuels.

Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22nd April, has become a global symbol of environmental advocacy. Established in 1970 by US Senator Gaylord Nelson following the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, it sparked a worldwide movement. The 2025 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” emphasizes the shift to renewable energy sources to address climate change.

For Manipur, Earth Day holds particular importance. Over 50 percent of the State’s population depends on agriculture (NABARD, 2019), making it highly vulnerable to climate impacts. Between 2011 and 2021, Manipur lost approximately 543 square kilometers of forest cover, contributing to soil erosion, water scarcity, and biodiversity degradation (Ukhrul Times, 2023).

Manipur is one of India’s most biologically diverse States, with over 3,000 plant species, 53 types of bamboo, and 1,200 medicinal plants.

Despite its environmental wealth, more than 90 percent of the land is hilly, while the valley — home to most urban development — has become overcrowded due to unplanned urbanization and rural-to-urban migration. This has contributed to poor sanitation, insufficient drai-nage systems, mismanage- ment of solid waste, and escalating air pollution, particularly in Imphal.

The State Action Plan for Climate Change & Human Health Manipur (2023) shows that from 1954 to 2011, Manipur’s average minimum temperature rose from 13.9° C to 14.9° C, and maximum from 26.6° C to 27.3° C. Humidity increased from 70 to 80 percent during this period.

Rainfall patterns shifted, with central and southern districts receiving less rain and northern districts experiencing more, contributing to malaria and Dengue outbreaks. Projections indicate that by 2030, temperatures will rise an additional 1.7° C, with extreme rainfall expected in districts like Ukhrul and Senapati.

Recent years have seen flash floods and droughts become more frequent, notably the 2023 water crisis, which impacted both urban and rural areas. Urban flooding has become common in Imphal, largely due to poor drainage systems.

Rising respiratory illnesses like Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are linked to air pollution from vehicles, open waste burning, and agricultural activities. Furthermore, Manipur’s loca- tion in a high-seismic zone adds risks of earthquakes and landslides, often worsened by deforestation and erratic weather patterns (State Relief & Disaster Department, 2022).

Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach. Strengthening healthcare, sanitation, and disaster preparedness is vital for reducing vulnerabilities. Poverty, a major barrier to sustainability, must be tackled through job creation and better education access. Technological progress in clean energy and agriculture must be paired with efforts to ensure social equity.

Manipur can take several steps to transition toward sustainability. Promoting renewable energy—particularly solar and biomass— will reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Investing in climate-resilient agriculture, such as organic farming and drought-tolerant crops, can improve food security. Rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and the protection of critical water bodies like Loktak Lake are essential for managing water sustainably.

Agroforestry, the integration of trees with crops, offers an alternative to deforestation. Public transport infrastructure must be improved to reduce vehicular emissions. In urban areas, waste segregation and recycling should be enforced through policy and community engagement.

Integrating indigenous knowledge into climate planning can offer locally adapted, culturally respectful solutions. Many of Manipur’s tribal communities have sustainable practices in water conservation and land use that could inform modern strategies.

Green jobs in eco-tourism, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture should be promoted through skill development and incentives. Environmental education should be embedded in curricula, and mass awareness campaigns using local languages and media should be launched.

Manipur also needs a comprehensive state-level climate action plan that aligns with national frameworks and the Paris Agreement. This plan should include emission reduction targets, flood and drought response strategies, and a roadmap for renewable energy adoption.

Hydropower projects, such as the Singda, Thou-bal, and Dolaithabi dams, as well as the under-construction Chakpi and Jiri irrigation schemes, are expected to improve water availability and clean power generation. However, as these systems rely on rainfall, they remain vulnerable to climate variability.

Earth Day reminds us that environmental protection is a continuous responsibility, not limited to one day. Manipur, with its ecological wealth and cultural diversity, stands at a critical juncture. The choices made today — by individuals, communities, and Govts — will determine whether the state can build a resilient and sustainable future.