National seminar on management of water resources conducted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 22 2025: A National seminar on "Sustainable Water Resource Management: Issues, Challenges & Solution" was held as part of World Water Day observance at the Department of Environmental Science, Manipur University today.

Speaking at the seminar, MU Vice Chancellor, Professor Naorem Lokendra stressed the importance of managing water resources for sustainability.

Only about 2.5 percent of the water is freshwater and most of it is trapped in the arctic glaciers and ice caps.

Less than 1 percent is surface water and is readily available for human use, said Professor Lokendra, emphasising the need for judicious use and conservation of water.

He said climate change has devastating impacts on the environment and water resources.

Ukhrul district has lost 50 percent of natural springs, and the valley now has only about 11/12 wetlands, compared to 20 some decades ago, he said.

The valley has lost wetlands to siltation and anthropogenic activities that degrade them, he added.

Talking about rising cost of water, Lokendra said the university buys around Rs 3 lakh worth of water a month for around 6400 inmates including teachers and students.

Stressing on the importance of conserving water, he informed the students that the construction of a pond near the Biotechnology Department is in the pipeline.

MU School of Human and Environment Sciences' Dean, Professor S Jotinkumar, IIT Guwahati Chemical Engineering Professor Mihir Kumar Purkait and MU Environmental Science HOD Dr RS Khoiyangbam attended the seminar.

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