Book on Manipur's waterways and riverine culture released at MU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 25 2026: Manipur University on Friday hosted the release of "Waterways and Riverine Culture of Manipur & North East India", an edited volume bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives on rivers, livelihoods, culture and environmental concerns in the region.

The book, edited by Prof Hanjabam Isworchandra Sharma, Prof Shukhdeba Sharma Hanjabam and Pebam Nganthoiba Mangang, was released at the VC Court Hall.

The programme was organised by the Department of Economics and College Development Council, MU in association with Intellectual Forum of North East-Manipur.

Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Thokchom Satyabrata Singh attended as chief guest, while Vice-Chancellor Prof RK Hemakumar Singh presided.

Director, Environment and Climate Change Dr T Brajakumar Singh was guest of honour.

Welcoming the gathering, Head of Economics Prof Damodar Nepram said the volume contains 13 articles covering drainage systems, ancient waterways, riverine culture and livelihoods.

In her keynote, Dean, School of Social Sciences Prof Memcha Loitongbam said a river is more than a water channel - it is a source of livelihood, route of communication, carrier of.

memory and part of cultural identity.

Referring to Imphal, Iril, Thoubal, Nambul, Sekmai, Khuga, Barak and Loktak, she said Manipur's waterways have long sustained fisheries, agriculture and cultural life, while facing pressures from pollution, encroachment and land-use change.

Dr Brajakumar said the book could be an important reference linking environment culture and society.

He stressed protecting inherited resources, documenting traditional ecological knowledge and strengthening research-policy linkage, citing the condition of Nambul River as an example of urbanisation pressure.

Introducing the volume, Prof Isworchandra said it originated from an interdisciplinary seminar in December 2024 and is organised under three themes - drainage and riverine culture of Manipur, navigationlivelihood-environment, and inland waterways connectivity in Northeast including the Brahmaputra.

Thokchom Satyabrata expressed concern over changing rivers and called for research that offers practical solutions for policymaking.

Prof Hemakumar said environmental protection cannot be the Government's responsibility alone and requires individual responsibility.

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