Let's make Manipur green and preserve rain water
As Water is Life and We Cannot Import Water

Dr N Somorendro Singh *

A 'green' Landscape Picture of Imphal Valley :: Pix - Robert Lourembam Ningthouja

Nature had given abundant water to Manipur. It can be seen from the fact that Manipur was once covered with forests, trees and water bodies like lakes, private ponds near the homes, community ponds, rivers with waters, loks in the hills etc. In fact the name of many places has the word pat (lake): Keisham-pat, Lamphel-pat, Porom-pat, Khongham-pat, Akham-pat, Takyel-pat etc.

Nature has given more rainy months and rich variety of flora and fauna on this part of the earth. The drought like situation and water scarcity for human consumption has been rare events in Manipur in the past. However over the years; people, governments and society in Manipur seem to have forgotten that water is the source of life and water cannot be imported like other goods. In recent times the speed of cutting trees, deforestation, filling up water bodies etc have increased in the name of 'development' and due to residential, commercial and private activities as well as traditional practices like shifting cultivation.

People and culture are no longer closer to nature. This may be due to the imitation and imported lifestyle and activities unsuitable to local environment, imported consumable items including vehicles and unsuitable policies imposed by Delhi. The central assistance in the form of paper currency notes to the state government has caused many ills in the state- as earning money by any means has become a way of life.

Manipur appears to be a land of recipients, central aid/package seekers, dependent on others, demanding/imposing people and now artificial water scarcity. The water scarcity may become a crisis situation as water is required every region, rich and poor, gender and age group, community/tribe in the state- threatening with diseases, possible violence and law and order problem; if rain does not come within few days.

Manipur had and has Ministers in charge of forests and environment to preserve and protect forests, to plant trees etc as well as for public water supply, public health, power etc. The Legislative Assembly of Manipur with 60 M.L.A.s is to make laws including preservation of forests, protecting the environment, providing basic needs like public water supply, electricity etc.

The government of Manipur has the full power and moral responsibility to provide basic needs including water, electricity, livelihood opportunities, public health, public transport etc to the people. However these are highly privatized services and increasingly expensive in Manipur with few professions and groups making unethical moneys.

The question is why neglect by successive governments, legislative assembles and politics on the issue of providing basic needs like water and electricity. One possible reason could be that providing such basic needs are not lucrative in Manipur as in construction/contract work(thicka) and no immediate profits or political gains/support.

After the present water crisis, the opposition parties, government, M.L.As , social groups etc seem to open up their eyes on water issue. So as people, government and politics why there should be action or demand only when crisis emerges? How about prevention and doing things with proper planning, keeping in mind about future and on the basis of scientific knowledge and democratic process?

The private water suppliers may be doing a great 'service' by supplying water in Manipur but how they can justify huge profit of 300%, or upto 500%, and even unsafe water. How government can remain silent spectator on such activities of the private water suppliers? It appears to be the same story of 'lawlessness', no accountability, no law enforcing agencies like on petrol/diesel black marketers, alcoholic and tobacco sale/consumption despite prohibition.

Due to negligence by the successive governments and political parties on basic needs /essential services, unscientific traditional practices, general public apathy etc. the frequency of drought like situations has increased in recent times. The issues of the lost of sincerity, hard work, reason, dignity of labour, giving/sharing, common goal/good, vision, justice etc. are to be discussed, debated and resolved for the present and future generations by people, society and politics.

The political and bureaucratic leadership in the state and politics have given priority on construction of new huge buildings, bridges, roads, markets etc. Centre has granted funds for such activities and for recruitment of police, paramilitary forces, deployed security forces etc in the state. Basic needs like water, electricity etc are considered not important while making policies and seeking/granting funds. It is irony or to the extent of non-sense that policies have been adopted to provide Rice/Wheat at Rs.2/3 per Kg but water is allowed to sale at Rs. 20 per litre water bottle. At present water is sold at Rs. 300 or even Rs. 500 per 500 litre and still unsure of quality and safety as well as availability.

Manipur case is strange as huge water resources are remained untapped and no proper strategy to make water available for human consumption and agriculture etc. A lot of energy and time is spent specially by women to get water every day. Even before the present water crisis, many household spent Rs. 200 to Rs. 1200 every month in Manipur. Places like Shillong, Aizwal etc which are the top of the hill ranges have regular government water supply, electricity etc. It is a shame and also a tragedy that even in the 21st century, people in Manipur are deprived of basic needs like public water supply and electricity.

On the contrary there are V.I.P. lines for electricity and government water supply are confined to few areas only.

Politics, government, civil society, media, political parties, cinema/films and theatre/sumang leelas must have innovative approaches and solutions to the issues of basic common needs like water and electricity. The hardship due to unavailability and shortage of water, electricity and other basic needs are common to everyone and every region.

The Legislative assembly must enact laws for the preservation of forests, water bodies and other related aspects as well as to punish those who violate the laws. The political and bureaucratic leadership need to adopt policy measures based on scientific/experts knowledge and democratic process on water; electricity etc. They must ensure that law enforcing agencies enforce the laws including those on essential supplies and punish those who violate laws.

Civil society must re-orient their priorities and focus on basic needs without which peace, harmony and welfare of the people can never be achieved. Media's role should not be merely confined to highlighting the crisis situation and reporting events. Media must also play a great role in bringing awareness, innovation and policy changes including on basic needs like water and how to make them available to the citizens.

The cinema and theatres/sumang leelas can play positive role on the issues of basic needs like water, electricity, livelihood questions etc which so far have been lacking. The film and suman leela writers, makers and producers can review their present focus on juvenile themes of love and romance and entertainment. Both can think of bringing awareness and socio-economic changes and innovation. The political parties both ruling and opposition may think of changes to provide basic needs to the people rather than status quo like elections as rituals and festivals, distribution of cheap goods and empowerment of themselves and their active 'workers'.

Thus a policy change on water availability and distribution by government is not sufficient in water scarcity in the long run. Blaming government and expecting everything from the government will not solve the common problems. There is necessity to adopt new approaches by politics, government, civil society; media and films, voters threatening/teaching lessen to their representatives for not providing water, electricity etc. For this to happen, a change in the mindset and a new movement is required. Otherwise we will continue to face hardship by everyone in Manipur due to water scarcity, unavailability of electricity and other basic needs.