With forests vanishing, Ukhrul stares at water crisis
Source: The Sangai Express / Kharibam Yaiphaba Meitei

Imphal, August 10 2025: While change is a natural phenomenon of life, its consequences can be mitigated through collective efforts.

However, climate change stands out as a particularly destructive force, threatening both human societies and the delicate balance of natural ecosystems.

This reality is starkly illustrated by the loss of massive trees in the Shirui forest of Ukhrul's Shirui village, where giant trunks that once required five to six people to encircle are now a distant memory, preserved only in local stories.

Ukhrul Town situated on the eastern side of Imphal is home to around 70,000 inhabitants including floating population.

The Shirui forest is not only a vital source of livelihood for the people of Shirui village, but it is also the origin of the Shirui river, which serves as the sole source of drinking water for the people in Ukhrul Town.

The river, however, has lost its former vitality and glory due to the forest's degradation and subsequently the culture of packaged drinking water is increasingly becoming popular in Ukhrul.

Ukhrul Town's water supply comes from two main sources of the Shirui river viz; the Singuira stream (old source) and the Namra/Kokthi Kong stream (new source).

The water is then treated at the Phungrei-tang water treatment plant before distribution to residents.

Water production data indicates that the Singura source generates 2,59,200 liters per day in the lean season and 8,64,000 liters in the monsoon season.

The Namra/Kokthi Kong source, on the other hand, produces 4,30,000 liters and 12,96,000 liters during lean and monsoon seasons respectively.

The total production is insufficient to meet Ukhrul's demand of 38,50,000 liters per day.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Shirui village headman Ayung stated that the Shirui forest, once known for its majestic trees, has lost its former splendour.

Saying that they are actively working to revive the Shirui forest through tree plantation, he added that their efforts, however, will be in vain if future generations don't continue this work.

The inhabitants of Shirui village are well aware of the significance of the Shirui river, however, deforestation persists in the forest, where private land ownership accounts for 70-80 per cent, the headman said.

Saying that they resort to cutting trees on their farm to generate income, support their families, and fund their children's education, he added that they lack alternative sources of livelihood.

Ayung also said that the villagers are aware of the impact of deforestation on the ecosystem, including the Shirui river but continue to cut trees as a means of survival.

The headman continued that villagers will stop felling trees if the Government offers viable alternative livelihood options to address their financial struggles.

The villagers, nonetheless, are taking steps to protect the forest by forming environment protection committees at the local level, he said and added that providing them with a sustainable income source could help restore the forest's former vitality.

Highlighting that large-scale tree felling for commercial purposes has significantly impacted the forest ecosystem, Ayung emphasized that deforestation is a primary driver of mudslides and landslides, as barren for ests and hills increase the risk of such disasters.

He noted that the Shirui village has witnessed a drastic decline in arrival of siri, a migratory bird, over the past few years, primarily due to unprecedented forest degradation.

Siri usually arrives at Shirui forest in November and departs in February.

The Shirui forest has indeed been affected by climate change but many villagers attribute the changes they are witnessing to other factors, he said.

Executive Engineer of Ukhrul PHE Division Themreisang Marei said that widespread tree felling demonstrates a lack of understanding about its consequences.

He stressed that preserving Shirui forest is crucial for the survival of the Shirui river, which provides potable water to the people of Ukhrul district.

If the river disappears, the district will face severe water scarcity, impacting its residents, he warned.

The Government has initiated a project to develop another water source in the adjacent area between Loithang and Choithar, funded by the New Development Bank, the EE said and maintained that they are setting a target to complete the project by May, 2026 .

The project is expected to significantly alleviate the water scarcity issue in Ukhrul, he said.

A local resident in Ukhrul credited the Shirui villagers for their role in providing drinking water to Ukhrul and urged everyone to join hands in preserving the Shirui forest.

He added that the scarcity of water from the Shirui river has led many residents in Ukhrul town to rely on packaged water bottles, which are easily accessible.

People's shift towards packaged water bottles is also driven by the convenience it offers and changing lifestyle patterns, he said.

This report is part of the 6th Manipur State Level Media Fellowship Programme, organized by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, focusing on climate change reporting .

Comment